Mayo complete Nickey Rackard Cup group stage undefeated
Mayo completed their Nickey Rackard Cup group campaign in sun-drenched Brewster Park, Enniskillen, this afternoon, where they played out an entertaining draw with the hosts Fermanagh, writes Brian Gillespie.
Going into the game, Ray Larkin's men had already confirmed their place in the Nickey Rackard final, while Fermanagh also knew that relegation to the Lory Meagher Cup would be their fate for 2026.
But while on paper it was a top versus bottom clash, on the field of play it didn't pan out that way as an experimental Mayo team needed two second-half goals from Eoin Delaney and Corey Scahill to earn a draw against a spirited Fermanagh team that played with a sense of purpose that defied their lowly position.
At one stage during the second half Fermanagh enjoyed a 10-point lead but Delaney's goal started the Mayo comeback, while Scahill's strike in the fourth minute of injury time brought Mayo level (3-15 to 1-21).
The hugely impressive Sean Corrigan pushed the home side back in front but Liam Lavin's deflected shot ensured a share of the spoils for Ray Larkin's men, who now have two weeks to prepare for the final in Croke Park against Roscommon.
Mayo's first-half goal was rather fortuitous as an attempt at a point by Eoin Delaney deceived stand-in Fermanagh 'keeper Francis McBrien in the bright sunlight. It put the visitors into a 1-2 to 0-2 lead, but Fermanagh rallied strongly and McBrien was involved in the goal that put them ahead on 23 minutes, his free from long distance breaking kindly in front of goal for John Duffy who slammed the ball past Kevin Duffy.
Sean Corrigan's fine form – he scored five points from play in that first half – helped the hosts enjoy a four-point lead at the break (1-12 to 1-8), and the hosts scored the first six points of the second half to lead by 10 with 48 minutes played.
By then Mayo had started to introduce some heavy-hitters, and substitutes Liam Lavin, Cormac Phillips, David Kenny and Ryan Duffy certainly left their mark on this encounter, playing a big part as they eventually reeled in the hosts, kick-started (literally, as the ball was sent into the net with the use of the foot) by the Delaney goal.
Roscommon will be Mayo's opponents in the final in two weeks' time, confirming their place in the decider with a 4-17 to 0-20 victory over Louth this afternoon.
Fermanagh: Francie McBrien; Ronan McGurn, Rory Porteous, Odhran Johnston (0-1); Michael Rafferty, Ryan Bogue, Ultan O'Reilly (0-1); Caolan Duffy, Tom Keenan (0-2); Sean Corrigan (0-7), Ben Corrigan (0-2), Adam McShea (0-1); John Duffy (1-6, 3f, 2 65'), Eoin Clarey, Jimmy Tormey (0-2).
Subs used: Cahir McManus, Aidan Flanagan.
Mayo: Kevin Duffy; Luke Connor, Mark Phillips, Conal Hession; Evan Heraty, Eoin Ryan, Jack Trench; Sean Kenny (0-6, 3f, 1 65'), John Heraty; Eoin Delaney (2-2, 1f), Joseph Burke (0-1), Michael Farrell; Ronan Fallon, Corey Scahill (1-1), Sean Mulroy.
Subs used: Liam Lavin (0-2), Cormac Phillips (0-3, 2f), David Kenny, Conor Murray, Ryan Duffy (0-1).
Referee: Ciaran McCloskey (Antrim).