Mayo's Ryan Helly wins possesion from Gareth Rock of the Athletic Union League during Saturday's FAI Youth Inter League Cup round clash at Milebush Park.

AN astonishing second half collapse led to Mayos exit from the FAI Youths (Under 18) Inter League Cup at Milebush Park on Saturday at the hands of an AUL side that simply refused to accept defeat.

FAI YOUTHS INTER LEAGUE CUP (SECOND ROUND)

Mayo                                     2
Athletic Union League          3

Despite enjoying a two-goal cushion at the interval, Mayo completely lost their way and were made to pay the ultimate price for a catalogues of defensive errors.
At the core of the home sides problems, however, was a lack of durability, perseverance and shrewdness in the face of a spirited fightback by the Dubliners.
It was as harsh a lesson as the Mayo players will ever learn in the sport.
The visitors had got off to a disastrous start when they conceded a penalty after just three minutes, goalkeeper Reece Somerfield adjudged to have fouled Liam Moran.
The Swinford striker placed the ball on the spot and placed it firmly beyond the custodians reach to give Mayo an early advantage.

The AULs response was impressive and they caused problems for the home defence with their running on and off the ball.
While their approach play bordered on the brilliant at times, they lacked the killer instinct to punish Mayo as Shane Downey, Dane Black and Barry Browne were guilty of missing decent chances.
The visitors were further rocked back on the heels in the 23rd minute when the talented Ryan Helly spectacularly found the target from a 30-yard free kick which caught Somerfield unsighted.  
All the indications at that point were it was going to be Mayos day and they could have added to their tally before the break when the busy Shane Byrne went close.
The AUL began the second half in resolute fashion, but it seemed Mayo were poised to weather the sport when goalkeeper Adam McDonnell produced a stunning reflex save to deny the commanding Gareth Rock from point-blank range.
However, the match was set to take a dramatic turn when the AUL snatched a 65th minute lifeline in unexpected circumstances.
In an act which arguably reflected a sense of desperation by the AUL at that junction, full-back Cian Bowe hoofed a long drive into the Mayo penalty area.
And while McDonnell appeared comfortable in dealing with the situation, the ball bounced off his chest and into the path of the substitute Dillon Clarke who rolled the ball sweetly into an open net.
Now Mayo were struck by a lack of assurance and surefootedness on a sticky surface while a fitter AUL side grew in confidence and stature.
The game was all square within nine minutes as Black exploited the growing level of uncertainty in the Mayo defence with the most simplistic of finishes into a corner of the net.
Mayos remarkable disintegration was completed in the 84th minute when poor concentration from a corner-kick permitted Shane Downey to break into space before lashing the ball into the six-yard box where central defender Ryan Scully was lurking with intent to snatching the winning goal.
The home side went close to forcing the issue into extra-time when substitute Gareth Dunne found space behind the AUL defence in injury time, but Somerfield rescued his side when needed most.           

Mayo: A. McDonnell, J. Stretton, C. Nevin, A. Murphy, J. Ivers, S. Byrne, R. Helly, J. Walsh, G. Haran, L. Moran, G. Hunt.
Subs used: G. Dunne, M. Padden.
AUL: R. Somerfield, C. Bone, S. Downey, R. Scully, C. Clarke, S. Dobb, T. Grace, G. Rock, D. Black, B. Browne, R. Moore.
Subs used: D. Clarke, L. Boggins, S. OKeeffe.
Ref: M. Walsh (Castlebar).
Star rating: Gareth Rock. . .dynamic midfielder.