Mayo IFC: Lahardane survive late Burrishoole onslaught

EGAN JEWELLERS INTERMEDIATE RELEGATION PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL

Lahardane MacHales 3-22

Burrishoole 2-21

Josie Munnelly Park, Castlebar

Lahardane MacHales will play intermediate football again next year after surviving a furious second-half rally from Burrishoole this afternoon.

The north Mayo men looked out of sight at half-time, leading 2-21 to 1-6 after a devastating opening half driven by star forward Shane Finnerty, who finished with 2-11.

His scoring, including a penalty and a string of two-pointer frees, left Eddie Conroy’s side cruising with a 19-point cushion early in the second half.

But Burrishoole refused to buckle. Inspired by Adam Rehill (2-10) and lively substitute Jay Ryder, they chipped away at the deficit, Rehill firing home a penalty to bring the gap back into single figures.

With Fintan and James McManamon also driving them forward, Lahardane were left hanging on in the closing minutes.

Ultimately, they had just enough in reserve to withstand the onslaught, their travelling support breathing a huge sigh of relief at the final whistle.

For Burrishoole, the battle to avoid the drop continues, with a showdown in the intermediate relegation play-off final against Louisburgh still to come.