Impressive display from amalgamated south Mayo club
GAEL NA DAIBHEADAÍ - the amalgamated underage club - produced an impressive display at Garrymore on Tuesday evening to capture the South Mayo Minor B title after defeating The Neale on a scoreline of 4-20 to 1-9.
Gael Na Daibheadaí notched 1-1 during the opening minutes of this final, with Dylan Burke rustling the back of the net, whilst his team-mate Andrew Quinn forced the umpire to reach for the white flag.
The Neale were shellshocked but had a golden opportunity to get right back into the game on 12 minutes when they were awarded a penalty. However, Evan Lydon’s spot-kick was brilliantly saved by Bradley Murphy.
The game was being played at a lively pace, with some well-taken scores being notched by both sides.
Points from The Neale’s Darragh O’Dea and Daithi Butler were negated by efforts from Gael Na Daibheadaí’s Noeli Jennings and Charlie Fallon (two, one free).
The Mayo Gaels/Davitts outfit ended the half in a positive fashion and points by Dylan Burke, James Joyce and an exquisite two-pointer free from Andrew Quinn helped muster a commanding 1-11 to 0-3 half-time lead for their team.
A positive start to the second period was imperative for The Neale and the Cong-based club made a blistering start to the new half courtesy of a superb goal from Darragh O’Dea and a pointed free from Ben Hopkins.
The Neale were slowly but surely instigating a brave comeback, and they almost fashioned a second goal on 43 minutes, but after making a slaloming run towards goal O’Dea was aghast to see his thunderous strike fly inches wide.
Wary of their opponents' new-found enthusiasm, Gael Na Daibheadaí upped the tempo and they blitzed The Neale by plundering three goals during a devastating four-minute spell courtesy of Evan Heneghan, who netted a brace, and raiding corner-back Tadgh Feerick.
Leading 4-12 to 1-5, Gael na Daibheadaí maintained their quest for further scores and points from Heneghan (three), Aaron Connelly Basham, Charlie Fallon (three, one free) and Noah O’Brien helped round off what was an impressive display by the amalgamated Mayo Gaels/Davitts outfit.