Slick Mayo show no mercy to Cork in All-Ireland quarterfinal
Mayo delivered a five-star display to advance to the Electric Ireland Under 17 All-Ireland Football Championship semi-final with a 3-14 to 0-6 victory over Cork in Ennis.
A very early goal by Oisín Deane set Mayo on their way and by half-time the lead was 11 points (2-8 to 0-3), Kobe McDonald scoring a second goal from the penalty spot after Dylan Flynn had been fouled by the Cork goalkeeper in the act of attempting a shot on goal.
The Cork 'keeper, James O'Flaherty, was shown a black card for the foul, making the second-half task for the Munster runners-up all the more difficult.
Any fears that Mayo, the Connacht champions, would relent in the second period with such a big lead built up were unfounded, with captain Tom Hession landing a fine early point to maintain the momentum.
The Crossmolina trio of Flynn, McDonald and Deane combined for a third Mayo goal in the final quarter. Flynn won back possession in a dangerous area and quickly fed McDonald racing through on goal and he unselfishly passed to Deane who had the simple task of fisting the ball to the net, the Cork 'keeper – now restrored to his role between the posts – a lonely bulwark against the marauding Mayo men.
Interspersed with the goals were some fine points from Deane, McDonald, David Hurley and Mark Sheerin, while the likes of Mark Noonan and Owen Loughney impressed with their work rate and link play, and overall it was a hugely impressive performance from a talented looking Mayo team against the Munster runners-up.
*See Tuesday's print edition for a full report and reaction