Mayo march into Connacht semi-finals with unconvincing win over Sligo
SLI-GOAL: Luke Towey of Sligo scores his side's first goal despite the efforts of Mayo goalkeeper Colm Reape. Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
SLIGO came within a kick of a ball of forcing extra-time in Castlebar on Sunday as the home side did just enough to sneak into the provincial semi-final.
Mayo produced a patchy and unconvincing display to outscore the guests and afterwards the winning manager Kevin McStay said his side would have to show massive improvements if they hope to make an impression the competition.
There were moments in the game when Mayo seemed to be coasting to victory and had built up a nine-point lead in the final quarter, but a late Sligo surge closed the gap to just a goal and the home side were hanging on in the end.
Aidan O'Shea was outstanding for Mayo and was easily the best player on the pitch. His goal after 37 minutes helped Mayo into a healthy lead and his general play was a joy to behold. He was central to everything positive Mayo did and without him they would have been in trouble.
Mayo had the wind behind them in the opening half but were only three clear at half time despite a well-taken goal from Ryan O'Donoghue. Sligo stuck with them and with team captain Niall Murphy leading the attack, and his corner men Pat Spillane and Alan McLoughlin looking lively, they were well in contention at the change of ends.
Mayo came out for the second half in bullish fashion and O'Shea shook the net after 37 minutes when David McBrien sent an excellent delivery into the mixer and Carney slipped O'Shea in for the three-pointer.
Sligo were soon seven behind and drifting but they powered back with a goal from wing-back Luke Towey, and with wing-forward Cian Lally becoming more prominent, the guests were back in it.
However, a Mayo surge at the start of the final quarter pushed the gap out to nine and it looked all over with 13 minutes to play but Sligo were having none of it.
Murphy kicked a point and then Lally left the Mayo men flailing when he danced through for a goal.
O'Donoghue and Boland moved Mayo seven clear again with six minutes to play but Sligo finished like a train. Oisin Flynn kicked a point, Alan McLoughlin landed a two-pointer and when Murphy raised another orange flag there was only a goal between them.
In truth, Murphy's two-pointer was kicked from well inside the arc, but the referee awarded it and that's all that matters.
The final whistle soon followed, much to the relief of the home side at the end of a game described as 'patchy' by Mayo boss Kevin McStay.
Mayo advance to play Leitrim in the Connacht semi-final in two weeks time and Sligo will contest the Tailtean Cup.
R O'Donoghhue (1-4, 4f), A O'Shea (1-2), D McHale (0-4), J Carney (0-3), F Boland (0-2), D Neary, M Ruane, D Thornton, E Hession, C Dawson (0-1 each).
N Murphy (0-7, 1f, 1 2pt), A McLoughlin (0-5, 1f, 1 2pt), C Lally (1-1), L Towey (1-0), P Spillane (0-2), D Quinn, O Flynn (0-1 each).
C Reape; J Coyne, D McHugh, S Callinan; E Hession, D McBrien, S Coen; D Thornton, M Ruane; D Neary, D McHale, F Kelly; J Carney, A O'Shea, R O'Donoghue.
D O'Connor for Ruane (43), F Boland for Kelly (52), N Coggins for Neary (57), S Morahan for McHugh (57), C Dawson for Hession (61), P Towey for Thornton (66).
D Lyons; E Lyons, E McGuinness, P McNamara; B Cox, N Mullen, L Towey; C Mulligan, P O'Connor; C Lally, D Quinn, A Reilly; A McLoughlin, N Murphy, P Spillane.
R Doherty for Quinn (45), S Deignan for Spillane (61), L Deignan for McNamara (61), O Flynn for Reilly (62), M Gordon for O'Connor (65).
Noel Mooney (Cavan).
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