Big win for Mayo in Connacht Under 20 Football Championship
Mayo's facile 5-16 to 0-8 win over Leitrim in round three of the Dalata Connacht GAA Under 20 Football Championship puts them in a very strong position to reach the final.
Played in brilliant sunshine at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, Castlebar, the game was as good as settled at the end of the first quarter, a goal by Oisín Cronin on 15 minutes, set up by Josh Carey, leaving the hosts leading by 1-6 to no score.
While Leitrim rallied with four points before the break, three scored by Jack Kelly, Mayo were relentless and added another 1-3, the goal finished by Colm McHale following good work by Tom Lydon and Cathal Keaveney.
That left Mayo ahead by 11 points up at the break (2-9 to 0-4), and there was no let-up after the break. Despite a two-point free by Ben Guckian for Leitrim, they conded another 1-2 in the opening eight minutes of the second half, substitute Darragh Beirne with Mayo's third goal shortly after being introduced.
A black card for Paul Gilmore had done Mayo little damage and further goals before the end by Beirne and Lydon glossed the scoreline as the home side eased to victory.
There were some wonderful points over the course of the hour as well, Niall Hurley particularly prominent with six overall, including back-to-back two-pointers in the first half.
The solid platform provided by Oliver Armstrong, Seamus Howard, John MacMonagle, Rio Mortimer and Diarmuid Duffy, among others, allowed the forward division to shine, while subs such as the aforementioned Beirne, Colm Lynch, Dara Neary, Luke Feeney and Senan Guilfoyle got a good run-out on an evening when a big step was taken towards confirming a place in the Connacht final.
Mayo have three wins from three games played and if they avoid defeat against Sligo in the last round, they will be guaranteed of their place in the decider. They are already assured of the semi-final (played between the second and third placed teams) at the very least.
Mayo: C. Meaney; R. Mortimer, P. Gilmore (0-1), E. McGreal; H. O'Loughlin, J. MacMonagle, C. McHale (1-0); O. Armstrong, S. Howard; O. Cronin (1-1), C. Keavney (0-1f), D. Duffy; J. Carey (0-2), N. Hurley (0-6, 2tp), T. Lydon (1-3, 1f).
Subs used: C. Lynch, D. Neary, D. Beirne (2-2, 1f), L. Feeney, S. Guilfoyle.
Leitrim: B. Cull; O. Foley, E. McNamara, O. Reynolds; J. Rowley, B. Guckian (0-2, 1tpf), B. McBride; J. Foley, L. Chandler; D. Greenan, M. Murphy, R. O'Rourke (0-1); D. Cox (0-1), T. Plunkett (0-1), J. Kelly (0-3, 1f).
Subs used: N. McManus, M. McBrien, A. Gethins, D. Wisley, E. Duignan.
Referee: A. Clogher (Roscommon).