Mayo keep eyes on the prize as Down out

TWELVE months after they were visited by heartbreak in the national decider, Mayo’s minor footballers established a platform for revenge after claiming the scalp of Down in yesterday’s ESB All-Ireland MFC semi-final in Croke Park.

Last September the Westerners were within touching distance of the Tom Markham Cup, only for Tyrone to scramble a draw and then clinically finish the job off in the replay. In three weeks’ time, it will be an Ulster force in opposition once more in the shape of an imposing Armagh outfit. But there was enough evidence yesterday to suggest Mayo can depart with silverware in tow.

Mayo’s victory yesterday shared uncanny similarities with Armagh’s semi-final victory over Kerry last week. The six-point winning margin was the same, with just a slight number differential, 2-9 to 0-9 as opposed to 2-10 to 0-10 last week.