Mayo League go down fighting in Finn Park

A LATE fight back by the Mayo League almost saw them secure a famous victory away to Finn Harps in the EA Sports League Cup.

SSE Airtricity Division One side Harps were 4-0 ahead at one stage in Monday night's game but the Mayo League, managed by Brendan Kenny, put in a committed final half-hour that saw them score three times without reply - which left Harps manager Ollie Horgan fuming.

Mayo native Jesse Devers opened the scoring after just five minutes in what was his competive debut for the Ballybofey-based side.

Devers was also involved in the second goal, scored by Michael O'Connor four minutes before half-time, while a stunning strike from distance by Lee Toland made it 3-0 on 51 minutes.

On the hour John O'Flynn made it 4-0 and while Brendan Lavelle pulled one back quickly for Mayo, it still looked as though Harps would cruise through to round two.

Mayo had other ideas though. Sean Morrissey scored on 71 minutes to make it a two-goal game and when Lavelle scored again to make it 4-3 it set the alarm bells ringing among the Harps faithful.

The home side held on, however, to advance to the second round of the competition – but not before they were given a real fright by a plucky Mayo League side.

 

Finn Harps: P. Burke, A. Friel, C. Coll, S. Todd, L. Toland, J. Devers, G. Harkin. M. Timlin, M. O'Connor, C. O'Connor, J. O'Flynn.

Subs used: M. Hannon, D. McCroary, K. Cowan.

Mayo League: G. Cunningham, S. Morrissey, C. McGlade, J. O'Donnell, D. Tansey, M. Birrane, P. Corcoran, K. McDonnell, J. Cawley, B. Lavelle, D. Doherty.

Subs used: K. Browne, J. Hunt, J. Muldoon.

Ref: G. Taggart.