Minor setback for Mayo

MAYO were beaten by a highly-rated Kildare team in the All-Ireland minor football championship quarterfinal at O'Connor Park, Tullamore, earlier today.

A whirlwind start saw Kildare's Jack Robinson plunder an early goal – the game's first score – but Mayo soon had a goal of their own to celebrate, Ryan O'Donoghue finding the back of the net.

A black card for the influential John Maughan appeared to have derailed Mayo and they were soon 1-4 to 1-1 behind, but a second goal from Paul Lambert followed by a point from Colm Moran saw the westerners lead by one at half-time, 2-2 to 1-4.

However, they were hit by further black cards either side of the break, one for Joe Mason (who had come on for Maughan) and another for John Cunnane, as the game became a bit tetchy.

Now wind-assisted, Kildare soon found a degree of rhythm and slowly they began to edge clear with a succession of points, although Colm Moran did his best to keep Mayo in touch.

A second goal for Kildare, scored by full-forward Brian McLoughlin six minutes from time, virtually killed off Mayo's hopes, and they were beaten by six points in the end, 2-8 to 2-14.