Three from three for Mayo minor team

Sean Deane's Mayo Under 17 team made it three wins from three in the Connacht MFC this evening, beating Sligo by 2-21 to 3-10 at James Stephens Park, Ballina.

In an all-action encounter, Mayo always had a slight edge on their plucky opponents and played some wonderful football on their way to victory.

Sligo gave their hosts plenty of problems over the hour and a tally of 3-10 would win many games, but the Mayo forward division was not only slick but clinical too.

In Ronan Clarke and Ronan Niland, Mayo and Sligo had respective excellent placed-ball kickers, the former landing five frees and a mark and the latter six frees.

Clarke had more about him that just his ability from the placed ball, however, and his partnership with Niall Hurley in the Mayo full-forward line was a puzzle that Sligo couldn't fully solve. Between them, Clarke and Hurley scored 1-10 of Mayo's final tally.

Zac Collins and Diarmuid Duffy impressed in that forward division as well, while John MacMonagle, Lorcan Silke and Liam Maloney were the pick of the defenders.

Jack Keane, scorer of three first-half points, and Luke Feeney formed a solid midfield duo before both were replaced during the second half, Oliver Armstrong coming to the fore around the middle sector when introduced.

Sligo, who trailed 2-5 to 2-12 at half-time, gave Mayo enough to think about at times with their direct running but ultimately they gave up too many chances to a home side well able to avail of them.

Next up for Mayo is a clash against an impressive looking Galway team next Friday evening. Win that and Mayo will be sure of a place in the final.

Mayo: David Dolan (0-1); Rio Mortimer, John MacMonagle, Lorcan Silke (0-1); Liam Maloney (0-1), Colm McHale, Paul Gilmore; Jack Keane (0-3), Luke Feeney; Rory Conway, Zac Collins (1-1), Diarmuid Duffy (0-1); Cathal Keavney (0-1), Ronan Clarke (0-9), Niall Hurley (1-1).

Subs used: Sean O'Dowd, Oisin Cronin (0-1), Dylan Gallagher (0-1), Oliver Armstrong, Tom Lydon.

Sligo: Diarmuid Henry (0-1); Ronan O'Hehir, Tommy Ross (1-0), Daniel King; Rian O'Callaghan, Robert O'Kelly-Lynch, Aaron O'Hara; Ryan Gillespie, Dillon Walsh; Tom Bailey, Ronan Niland (0-6), Cian Carty (1-1); Gavin Lynch, Joe Campbell, Eli Rooney (1-2).

Subs used: James Golden, Conor Flynn, Shea O'Neill.