Prodigal Son a handful as Mayo master Tipperary

Mayo 0-21, Tipperary 1-14THE Prodigal Son of Mayo football, returned from the intercounty wilderness, as if he had never been away.

McDonald, back in intercounty harness for less than a week, was introduced midway through the second half of the All-Ireland SFC qualifier against Tipperary. In his spell he nabbed four points insuring that Connacht will have three representatives in the last eight of the competition.

At the end of a magnificent match, it was the strength of Mayo's bench which proved the deciding factor. The ability to introduce players of the quality of McDonald and team captain James Nallan (he didn't start because of injury) was crucial to halting the Tipp charge.

Midfielder David Tiernan was not exaggerating as he admitted that the Cusack Park tie was one of the toughest matches he had ever played in. Not surprisingly he was grateful to come away with the win.

"Tipp had a big downer last week but came out her tonight with a point to prove and they certainly put it up to us. We knew what to expect and were ready for it, but that was one hell of a performance by Tipperary out there. They had a couple of very big men around the middle of the field which caused us endless problems. I'm just mightily relieved we managed to get through. It's a match that will stand to us no end for the All Ireland quarter-final whoever we meet."

Mayo Manager Pat Holmes felt Cork's win over Tipperary in the Munster final replay was a freak result, a point proven by the showing at the weekend.

"They showed in the drawn game that the were a very good team and we knew coming down here tonight that it was going to be a very tough battle and that is what we got," he said.

"Tipp had nothing to lose. All the pressure was on us. Any of the county managers still in the championship will be hoping to draw Mayo in the quarter-final, feeling we are the weakest of the eight remaining. That will suit us fine. Looking at tonight's match, what pleased me most was the way our lads responded when the danger came. We made a lot of mistakes, but overall I was pleased with the commitment of the lads who never panicked.

"We have only seven days to remedy the mistakes but we'll work on that and hopefully have it right for the next day. Another plus for us tonight was the excellence of the players we brought in.

And what of the showing of you know who?

"Ciaran McDonald was superb for and made a major contribution. It's crucial to have a very strong panel of players now such are the demands. It's no longer a 15 man game and to be able to bring in a player of McDonald's quality was a huge plus for us tonight."

Tipperary who fielded without the injured Sean Collum and Brendan Cummins, ran at Mayo right from the start and Peter Lambert's goal in the 12th minute edged them in front. He might have had another but for a magnificent save by goalkeeper Peter Burke before the Tipp corner forward pointed the rebound.

But Mayo's use of the short passing game was superb and they regularly carved open the Tipp defence kicking some great points, to lead 0 12 to 1 6 at the break.

Tipp continued to dominate long periods in the second half with Declan Browne once more playing a starring role at full forward. In that second period the sides were level three times before the exertions of the previous two weeks finally told on Tipp who ran out of steam in the last 10 minutes as Mayo's freshness became very evident.

"There was no way we could have won it", said an exhausted Browne. "The lads were knackered at the finish. The two games with Cork proved too much for us, but we gave it our best shot.

"Following the hiding we got last Sunday we had to redeem ourselves and I feel we did tonight. The lads busted a gut out there and we can feel very proud of our efforts over the year. Tipperary football has come on a ton".

Team coach Tom McGlinchey echoed those sentiments. "It's impossible at this level to play three competitive games on three successive weekends and not feel it.

"If you look back on the two years of the qualifiers any team that has had to play within six days found it very to get themselves going again. Having said that I feel Tipp have played some of the most attractive football seen so far this year and that's something positive we can take from tonight's match."

McGlinchey refused to be drawn on whether he would stay on as Tipp coach now that his two years stint is over. "The commitment is unreal and I'll have to think long and hard about continuing", he admitted.

Scorers - Mayo: J. Horan 0 5 (0 3 frees); D. Brady, C. McDonald (0 1 free) 0 4 each; S. Carolan 0 3; T. Mortimer 0 2; C. McManaman, B. Moloney, J. Gill (free) 0 1each. Tipperary: D. Browne 0 7 (0 4 frees); P. Lambert 1 4 (0 1 free); B. Hickey, L. England, F. O'Callaghan 0 1 each.

MAYO: P. Burke; K. Mortimer, D. Heaney, P. Coyne; N. Connelly, A. Roche, A. Higgins; D. Tiernan, D. Brady; C. McManaman, T. Mortimer, J. Gill; S. Carolan, B. Maloney, J. Horan. Subs. J. Nallan for Roche; C. McDonald for Gill; M. McNicholas for Tiernan; R. Connelly for T. Mortimer; S. Fitzmaurice for McManaman.

TIPPERARY: P. Ryan; B. Hahessy, N. Kelly, D. Byrne; L. England, K. Mulryan, W. Morrissey; E. Hanrahan, S. Maher; P. Cahill, F. O'Calalghan, D.O'Brien; P. Lambert, D. Browne, B., Hickey; Subs. N. Fitzgerald for Maher; M. Spillane for O'Brien.

Referee: M. McGrath (Donegal).