Useful win for Mayo in pre-season challenge against Offaly

Mayo had useful pre-season outing at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, Castlebar, hosting Offaly in a challenge in aid of Mayo Cancer Support Association, where the 3-18 to 1-12 victory was built on a solid second-half showing, writes Brian Gillespie.

The home side overturned a half-time deficit of a point (2-5 to 1-9) to win by 12 in the end, affording Offaly only two scores following the turnaround, one of them a two-pointer.

Newcomers such as Jack Livingstone in goal, defenders Liam Golden and Diarmuid Duffy (in an unaccustomed full-back role), and attackers Seamus Howard, Nathan Moran and Darragh Beirne joined a host of semi-regulars and more seasoned performers in an experimental starting 15 as manager Andy Moran put a team into action in front of supporters for the first time after having recently taken up managerial duties.

Of those fresh faces, Darragh Beirne made a big impression not alone with his score-taking – he finished with six points to his name, including his team's only two-pointer (free) – but also with his movement off and ball and range of passing on it.

As would befit such an occasion, there were changes for the second half, with additional inexperienced players entering the fray, as well as more seasoned operators such as Ryan O'Donoghue and Cian McHale.

McHale and O'Donoghue made instant impacts, both scoring inside six minutes to put Mayo ahead.

Later in the half O'Donoghue applied a fine finish to an incisive move for Mayo's third goal, while McHale added two more points to his tally.

Two more subs, Adam Barrett and James Carr, scored points in that second half as well, while Stephen Coen, Dylan Thornton, Conal Dawson and Frank Irwin saw some game time as Mayo finished with a flourish, the midfield pair of Bob Tuohy and Jordan Flynn both landing points as the full-time whistle loomed.

The first half was lively, with Mayo starting well. Beirne and Aidan O'Shea saw early two-point efforts drift wide before Michael Plunkett split the posts with a drilled effort. From the kick-out, Mayo scooped up possession and Beirne picked out Tommy Conroy with a superb pass. Conroy showed great composure to round the 'keeper and smash the ball to the net.

Offaly's first real attack on four minutes yielded a point for Ciaran Murphy before Beirne responded at the other end. Then came a run of three four points in a row for Offaly, Jordan Hayes setting them on their way with a two-pointer before Harry Plunkett scored two in succession (one free), and the teams were level on 12 minutes.

Another good Mayo move ended when Conroy scurried towards goal, drew a defender and passed across goal to the waiting O'Shea. The Breaffy man's first attempt was blocked but he bundled over the rebound to give the hosts their second goal.

Keith O'Neill and Plunkett responded at the other end before Paul Towey, wearing 11 and playing a roving role, landed a nice point for Mayo.

The pendulum swung back towards Offaly as Ferbane man Darragh Flynn scored a fine goal after taking a good pass from Ciaran Murphy, and Murphy himself added a point as the game crept towards the latter stages of the first half.

Mayo rallied with quick-fire scores from Beirne and O'Shea but O'Neill had the last say with a point deep into first-half injury time, leaving the visitors a point to the good at the break (1-9 to 2-5).

The midlanders played second fiddle for the majority of the second half, however, their only scores coming from Jack McEvoy (two-pointer) and Plunkett (free) as they too rang the changes.

While 3-18 is an impressive tally, Mayo left a fair bit behind them too, with a number of wides and a selection of shots dropping short. The lack of two-pointers was again notable, though consideration must be given to the time of the year in that regard.

Plenty to consider, then, before Mayo's next outing – an FBD League game against Sligo on Saturday, January 3, in Charlestown. No doubt Moran and his selectors will take the opportunity to try out more newcomers on that occasions too.

Mayo: Jack Livingstone; Enda Hession, Diarmuid Duffy, Liam Golden; Fenton Kelly, Sean Morahan, Michael Plunkett (0-1); Jordan Flynn (0-1), Bob Tuohy (0-1); Seamus Howard, Paul Towey (0-2), Nathan Moran; Darragh Beirne (0-6, 1tpf, 1f), Aidan O'Shea (1-1), Tommy Conroy (1-0).

Subs used: Ryan O'Donoghue (1-1, 1f) for O'Shea, Cian McHale (0-3) for Moran, James Carr (0-1) for Conroy, Adam Barrett (0-1) for Beirne, Stephen Coen for Plunkett, Conal Dawson for Kelly, Frank Irwin for Towey, Dylan Thornton for Howard.

Offaly: Sean O'Toole; Cathal Ryan, David Dempsey, Lee Pearson; Shane O'Toole, Marcas Dalton, Rory Egan; Jack McEvoy (0-2tp), Eoin Dunne; Ciaran Murphy (0-2), Keith O'Neill (0-2), Jordan Hayes (0-2tp); Jack Bryant, Harry Plunkett (0-4, 2f), Darragh Flynn (1-0).

Subs used: Adam Nugent for Sean O'Toole, Nathan Poland for Bryant, Geordi O'Meara for Plunkett, Robbie Gallaghe for Flynn, Harry Goulding for Shane O'Toole, Aaron Leavy for Dunne.

Referee: Liam Devenney.