Mayo hurlers claim opening day win over Derry

By Stuart Tynan

Mayo got their Allianz League Division 2B campaign underway with a hard-fought victory over Derry at Elverys MacHale Park.

Despite registering more wides than scores in the first half (13), and playing with the wind, they had a five-point cushion going into the interval, 0-10 to 0-5. Four frees from Shane Boland, two from Adrian Phillips, and a point each from Cathal Freeman, Keith Higgins, Sean Regan and goalkeeper Gerald Kenny (which he converted from inside his own 21 metre line) kept Derry at bay, who were thankful to Cormac Doherty for keeping them in this contest.

Derry came out with renewed vigour in the second half, and reduced the gap to two points within three minutes of the restart. Mayo went through the gears as scores from Boland, Higgins, Freeman, Daniel Huane and Sean Regan stretched their lead to seven going into the final 15 minutes.

Niall Ferry's goal for Derry turned the game on its head, and points from Cormac Doherty and Brian Cassidy reduced arrears to one going into the closing moments.

However, Mayo showed tremendous character to see off Derry's brave resistance, as crucial scores from Shane Boland and substitute Brian Hunt ensured Mayo walked away with the win.

Up next for the Mayo hurlers is a trip to Dr. Hyde Park this Saturday to face Roscommon, with throw-in at 2 p.m.

Mayo: G. Kelly (0-1), S. Coyne, M. Morley, S. Kenny, J. Cassidy, P. McCrann, D. Kenny, K. Kiely, D. Huane (0-1), A. Phillips (0-2), C. Freeman (0-2), S. Regan (0-2), J. Coyne, K. Higgins (0-3, 0-1f), S. Boland (0-8, 0-6f).

Subs: B. Hunt (0-2), E. Delaney, C. Phillips.

Derry: O. O’Doherty, C. Kelly, S. Cassidy, D. Cartin, D. McCloskey, P. Cleary (0-1), M. McGrath, R. Mullan, G. Bradley (0-1), M. McGuigan, C. Doherty (0-10, 0-9f, 1 65’), E. Cassidy (0-1), B. Cassidy (0-1), S. McGuigan, N. Ferry (1-2).

Subs used: R. McWilliams, D. Foley, T. Brady.

Ref: R. Fitzsimons (Offaly).

*Full match report in this Tuesday's print edition.