Kobe McDonald stars again as Mayo edge out Armagh
IMPACT: Mayo’s Kobe McDonald celebrates at the final whistle. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
The fine margins that separate most teams at the upper echelons of inter-county football were illustrated again on a wet and windy day at the home of Mayo football in Castlebar.
Armagh’s recent trend of not taking enough chances when they present themselves cost them dearly for the fourth game in a row, while Mayo produced enough substance and style to dig out a fourth victory in five matches in front of 10,988 rain-soaked spectators.
The team that Andy Moran is building led by 10 points at one stage early in the second half, but an avalanche of wind-assisted Armagh scores saw the gap shaved to the bare minimum in the closing stages.
It was at that stage that Mayo’s composure and character proved invaluable with Kobe McDonald arriving off the bench to steady the ship and clip a couple of points, while the outstanding Sam Callinan also landed a superb score during a frantic finale.
A 55th minute goal from Cian McHale also proved invaluable.
Armagh chased hard right until the bitter end with late scores from Oisin O’Neill (free) and Greg McCabe leaving the outcome in doubt right until the final hooter.
But as Kieran McGeeney lamented afterwards, Armagh’s inability to take simple chances remains a recurring theme and continues to cost them dearly.
The Orchard County won the toss but elected to play against the strong wind.
Mayo hit the ground running with a quickfire point from Conor Loftus and a second minute goal from the in-form Jordan Flynn, who pulled on a loose ball in the Armagh goalmouth after a long delivery from Ryan O’Donoghue broke into his path.
These early scores settled the homeside and Paul Towey kicked them five points ahead after 13 minutes.
Armagh did open up the Mayo cover on a number of occasions, but a combination of poor finishing and some impressive scramble defence by the homeside kept them at bay.
Callum O’Neill finally opened their account on 15 minutes while Cian McConville, who went on to shoot six points in total, also hit the target five minutes later.
But Mayo’s penchant for two-pointers was about to kick in, and the Westerners raised four orange flags in the space of 11 minutes to open up some daylight.
Jordan Flynn got the ball rolling with a superb strike in the 21st minute before Conor Loftus, Ryan O’Donoghue (from a free after an Armagh breach) and Cian McHale all hit the target from 40 metres plus in quick succession.
This blitz left Mayo ahead by 1-10 to 0-4 as Armagh countered with white flags from Blaine Hughes (free) and Jason Duffy to try and stay in touch.
The lively Cian McConville also nailed a neat snap-shot score in the 32nd minute, but this effort was cancelled out deep into additional time by an inspirational point from Sam Callinan, who slalomed through the Armagh defence before fisting the ball over.
An early score after the restart from Bob Tuohy pushed Mayo 10 points ahead.
That was also the margin that separated the sides after 45 minutes, but Armagh’s comeback really got going at that stage as they shot seven points without reply to come storming back into contention.
They harnessed the wind impressively as Greg McCabe and Oisin O’Neill both fired over a couple of two-pointers before Ross McQuillan, Tiernan Kelly and Cian McConville got on the scoresheet too.
The momentum had now clearly swung in Armagh’s direction so it was no surprise that Mayo introduced Kobe McDonald after 51 minutes to try and turn the tide.
The teenager was involved in the build-up to Cian McHale’s goal in the 55th minute that helped to get Mayo back on track and restored their six-point cushion.
But Armagh stuck to their task and refused to blink.
They shot six of the next seven points as they laid siege to the homeside’s goal with Oisin Conaty, Ross McQuillan, Cian McConville (free), Darragh McMullan and Oisin O’Neill (a 2-point free) all clipping scores to keep their team in the hunt.
By the time this purple patch had ended there was only a single point between the sides (2-15 to 0-20) with five minutes of normal time remaining.
All bets were off and, with the wind and rain making everything difficult, turnovers became the name of the game.
The likes of Stephen Coen, Enda Hession, Sam Callinan and David McBrien weren’t found wanting in that regard, and crucial scores from Callinan and McDonald in the 67th and 71st minutes helped Mayo to stay out in front.
The ebb and flow nature of the contest continued as the clock went into the red, and Armagh stayed in the game as Oisin O’Neill (free) and Greg McCabe knocked over points.
However, the hooter sounded soon after to ensure that Mayo’s upward curve continues and Armagh were left to rue another one that got away.
C McHale (1-3, 1tp), J Flynn (1-2, 1tp), R O’Donoghue (0-3, 1tpf), C Loftus (0-3, 1tp), K McDonald (0-2), S Callinan (0-2), B Tuohy (0-1), P Towey (0-1).
C McConville (0-6, 2fs), O O’Neill (0-5, 1tp, 1tpf, 1f), G McCabe (0-3, 1tp), R McQuillan (0-2), B Hughes (0-1, 1f), J Duffy (0-1), T Kelly (0-1), C O’Neill (0-1), D McMullan (0-1), O Conaty (0-1).
R Hennelly; J Coyne, R Brickenden, E Hession; S Callinan, C Loftus, P Durcan; B Tuohy, D McBrien; J Carney, R O’Donoghue, J Flynn; C McHale, A O’Shea, P Towey.
Subs used: S Coen for Loftus (38, inj); S Morahan for Coyne (HT); K McDonald for O’Shea (51); C Dawson for Towey (56); D O’Connor for McHale (65).
B Hughes; J Duffy, G Murphy, P McGrane; R McQuillan, T Kelly, J Óg Burns; C O’Neill, B Crealey; D McMullan, C Turbitt, G McCabe; C McConville, O O’Neill, O Conaty.
Subs used: F O’Brien for Turbitt (60); E Rafferty for Duffy (67).
: D Coldrick (Meath)
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