No worries for Mayo in simply swatting Sligo challenge away

TYNAN'S TAKE: By Stuart Tynan

So much for any potential trouble.

If there was any concerns that Mayo were going to be in for a serious battle at Markevicz Park last Saturday, they were none by the end of the first water break as Mayo swatted away Sligo to progress to the Connaught championship semi-finals.

On the way back from Letterkenny after a thrilling win for the Mayo hurlers (more on that later), I hoped there was not going to be any dramatics in Sligo for the footballers. No one listening or watching need not have any worries and they could sit back and relax as it was one-way traffic before the end of the first quarter, 1-7 to 0-2.

Unlike their game against Clare two weeks ago, once Mayo build ahead of steam there was no stopping them as Sligo neither had the belief, experience or the ability to pull themselves back into this contest and make it somewhat of a contest.

The second-half was played at pedestrian pace as Horan emptied the bench and gave run outs to Fergal Boland, Stephen Coen, Padraig O'Hora, Paul Towey and James Carr.

Have we learned anything about Mayo going forward? On the surface of things, probably not. Much tougher tests lie ahead and the semi-final against Leitrim in two weeks time may feel like more of the same.

The only negative was the ease at time the Sligo forwards were running through the Mayo backline in the second half. Granted, the match was well and truly over at this stage but it was a noticeable concern for Mayo during the league phase.

Should Mayo get to the Connaught final, and there certainly seems to be no thought otherwise, Galway or Roscommon could cause Mayo real problems.

On the plus side, Darren McHale looks right at home playing at inter-county level. Scoring 1-5 on your first start in the championship will be something he will never forget, and he will prove to be a real handful going forward.

Also, a special mention to Kevin McLoughlin on his 150th appearance for Mayo. It speaks volumes about the Knockmore man that only Andy Moran and Keith Higgins have played more games in the Green and Mayo than McLoughlin. I do feel that, at times, he doesn't always get the credit he deserves but he has been an outstanding servant to Mayo for over ten years and has been one of the county's most consistent performers. There is plenty more in the tank, that's for sure.

COMEBACK

If the Mayo footballers blew the opposition away, the Mayo hurlers produced a Lazarus-like comeback to beat Donegal at O'Donnell Park.

They looked dead and buried going into the home stretch and it seemed it was going to be another painful defeat against a team that Mayo have had a bad run of results against in recent months.

The blown eight point lead in last year's Nicky Rackard Cup final. The 17-point mauling only a month ago in Letterkenny. Was there going to be another loss on the cards?

Step up Keith Higgins. Each of Mayo's goals did come from bad mistakes in the Donegal backline, but you have to take the opportunities when they are presented to you.

The experience and composure of the Ballyhaunis man came to the fore in creating the first goal for Adrian Phillips in the first half and scoring the other one himself in second half-injury time.

When Shane Boland sent over a brilliant point moments later in the 73rd minute, it was the very first time Mayo had took the lead, a lead they never let slip. A sensational comeback.

*You can read Stuart's full column every Tuesday in our print edition.