Clinical Mayo condemn champions Derry to relegation
SIX POINTS: Mayo's Matthew Ruane scored six points from play to help Mayo to win over Derry in Celtic Park. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Goals from Frank Irwin and Jordan Flynn helped Mayo to victory in Celtic Park to hammer the final nail in Derry’s Division One campaign.
The Oakleafers, the reigning champions, needed a win to take their survival hopes to the final day but Irwin’s 42-minute goal began an unanswered 1-5 tally that shot Mayo 10 points ahead.
Conor Glass kicked three two-point scores in the latter stages but Derry never looked like engineering the goal they needed.
They were hit with another blow when goalkeeper Odhrán Lynch limped off midway through the first half.
Derry were two points up with half-time approaching but Mayo hit 1-2 to go ahead, including Jordan Flynn’s goal on the hooter for a 1-11 to 1-8 interval lead.
Ryan O’Donoghue opened the scoring after 18 seconds with a quick fire point but it was Patrick McGurk who opened the scoring with a fourth minute goal.
Dan Higgins won the kick-out, Naill Toner and Niall Loughlin were both involved before McGurk drilled to the net on his first senior start.
Three Matthew Ruane points had the visitors well in the game but Derry then got a foothold in the game.
They won three Mayo kick-outs in succession, kicking four points ahead with McGuigan, McGurk and Loughlin on target.
It was Mayo who finished the half with a bang. Ruane added a fourth point with Fenton Kell blasting over while David McBrien missed a clear goal chance.
Ruane’s point levelled the game but when McGrogan was caught in possession at midfield, Mayo moved the ball upfield and Flynn hit the net.
Conor Glass and Niall Toner hit two points before Mayo’s crucial second goal changed the entire pattern of the game.
Aidan O’Shea, Ryan O’Donoghue and Enda Hession were all involved with Irwin blasting to the net for a 2-12 to 1-10 lead after 42 minutes.
Mayo loaded on scores from O’Donoghue, Conor Reid, O’Donohue and Ruane in an answered 1-5 spell before Derry staged a comeback.
Conor Glass landed two two-pointers but they needed a goal they never looked like getting.
Shane McGuigan hit the side netting from a half chance before Conor Doherty and Glass – with another two pointer – gave Derry some hope.
With three minutes to go, they were within four points before Eoghan McLaughlin foisted over the insurance point.
Derry’s final game, is next Sunday’s trip to All-Ireland champions Armagh while Mayo host Donegal before all focus switches to championship action.
R O’Donoghue 0-8 (1 tpf, 2f), M Ruane 0-6, F Irwin 1-1, J Flynn 1-0, A O’Shea, C Reid, F Kelly and E McLaughlin 0-1 each
: C Glass 0-8 (3 tp), S McGuigan 0-4 (1f), P McGurk 1-1, N Loughlin, P McGrogan, N Toner and C Doherty 0-1 each
: C Reape; J Coyne; D McHugh, S Callinan; E Hession, D McBrien, F Kelly; S Coen, M Ruane; C Reid, J Carney, J Flynn; A O’Shea, F Irwin, R O’Donoghue Subs: S Morahan for McHugh (52), F Boland for Reid (55), D Neary for Kelly (57), E McLaughlin for McBrien (61), P Towey for O’Shea (69)
: O Lynch; D Baker, E McEvoy, M Bradley; C Doherty, P McGrogan, P McGurk; C Glass, A Tohill; E Doherty, N Toner, D Higgins; N Loughlin, S McGuigan, P Cassidy Subs: N McNicholl for Lynch (INJ 14), B McCarron for Higgins (52), C Devlin for Loughlin (52), C McMonagle for Tohill (57), M Doherty for McGrogan (60) Yellow cards: A Tohill (29), D Baker (65)
: F Kelly (Longford)
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