Mayo's league hopes rescued in Tralee thriller

MAYO have brilliantly rescued their hopes of qualifying for the final of the Allianz National League.

After suffering back to back defeats in their previous two fixtures, they bounced back in memorable fashion in Tralee tonight.

James Horan's charges produced a dazzling second half performance to carve out a crucial two-point win and end the Kingdom winning run in the series.

A 67th minute goal by Breaffy ace Matthew Ruane was the highlight of a splendid recovery after Mayo found themselves three points arrears at the interval - 0-7 to 0-4.

Ruane found space behind the Kerry rearguard to finish off a lightening Mayo attack with a sublime shot into a corner of the Kerry net, Kevin McLoughlin delivering the pass to the Breaffy ace.

Ruane's score made it 1-10 to 0-9 in Mayo's favour with three minutes of normal time remaining as well as six minutes of added time.

Ruane had also launched Mayo's comeback with the first point of the second half which were followed by three points by the consistent Jason Doherty and scores from the boots of Fergal Boland, Fionn McDonagh and Diarmuid O'Connor.

Ruane's goal looked destined to prove the matchwinner once it hit the net.

But Kerry mounted a resolute fightback of their own in added time with points by Sean O'Shea and James O' Donoghue.

But a fifth point by Jason Doherty, from a close-range free, helped to settle Mayo nerves on the pitch and in the stands, as did some fine defensive work, most notably an exceptional block by Chris Barrett to prevent a Kerry score in the dying moments.

Now all eyes turn to Elverys MacHale Park on Sunday, March 24, for Mayo's fixture against Monaghan and a win is sure to give Mayo a place in the decider.