Cormac Phillips was in good scoring form for Mayo as they defeated Wicklow in Division 3 of the Allianz NHL this afternoon. Photo: Sportsfile

Victory for Mayo in Wicklow sets up Division 3 hurling final against London

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Mayo won an action-packed game full of incident in Aughrim to claim their place in the Allianz National Hurling League Division 3 final at the expense of hosts Wicklow this afternoon.

The 4-15 to 2-15 victory for the Green and Red sets up a final against London and guarantees promotion to Division 2 next year.

Going into the game, Mayo knew that avoiding defeat would ensure them of their place in the decider. Wicklow needed to win to propel them ahead of Mayo in the table on the head-to-head basis.

Mayo started well in Echelon Park and maintained their good form throughout the first half, and had numerical advantage for much as Wicklow's John Toomey was flashed a red card by referee Conor Daly early on.

By half-time the visitors were 1-9 to 0-6 ahead, the goal coming from Joe Burke on 19 minutes after great approach play by Kieran McDermott and Cormac Phillips.

But any thoughts that game was as good as won with the second half still to come were quelled by a resurgent Wicklow after the turnaround – and that was after Liam Lavin struck for Mayo's second goal on 37 minutes, putting his team 2-10 to 0-6 ahead.

However, with 15 minutes left to play there was just a point between the teams, Pádraig Doyle and Luke Evans with goals that hauled the hosts back into contention.

But then came two crucial goals for Mayo, Cormac Phillips and Sean Kenny, with a penalty, the scorers, and from there to the end Ray Larkin's men managed to keep Wicklow at arm's length to book their place in the Division 3 decider.

Wicklow: Conor McNally; Emmet Blanchfield, Andrew Kavanagh, Ben Kearney; Luke Evans (1-1), Pádraig Doran (0-2f), Jack Phelan; Warren Kavanagh (0-1), John Toomey; Seánie Germaine (0-4, 2f), Davy Maloney (0-1), Ronan McMahon (0-2); Pádraig Doyle (1-3, 1f), Jack Doyle, Torna Mulconry.

Subs used: Eoin McCormack, Ian Clancy, Rian Waters, Dan Redmond, Mark Lennon (0-1).

Mayo: Bobby Douglas; Connor Murray, Oisín Greally, Conal Hession; Eoghan Collins, Jason Coyne, David Kenny; Danny Huane, Kieran McDermott; Liam Lavin (1-2), Joe Burke (1-0), Seán Kenny (1-1); Shane Boland (0-7, 2f), Cormac Phillips (1-3), Matthew Connor.

Subs used: Eoin Delaney (0-2), Michael Farrell, Jack Trench, Luke Connor, Evan Heraty.

Referee: Conor Daly (Kildare).

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