Mayo hurlers see stint in Division 2 come to an end

Mayo's stint in Division 2 of the Allianz National Hurling League came to an end following defeat to Westmeath on a scoreline of 2-37 to 1-14 at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, Castlebar, on Saturday afternoon, writes Brian Gillespie.

After winning back-to-back league titles in 2024 and 2025, Mayo were operating at a higher level this year against some very strong teams.

They still had an outside chance of avoiding relegation going into the final round against Westmeath but needed to win to save themselves and send London down, but it would have needed a big swing in scoring difference.

And ultimately it was conceding too much at one end and not scoring enough at the other that caused Mayo's problems throughout the campaign.

It was the same story against Westmeath, who racked up 21 points in the first half to 1-6 in reply from the hosts.

David Williams, the Westmeath captain, Darragh McCormack and Jack Gillen led the way in terms of scoring, and the early loss through injury of Dean Ennis, who had already scored a point, did not set them back at all. In fact, his replacement, Matthew Cunningham, ended the game with five points, including two in the first half.

Between them, Ryan Duffy (four, two frees) and Eoin Delaney accounted for Mayo's six first-half points, while Joseph Burke pounded for a goal on 24 minutes, flicking Oisín Greally's long delivery to the back of Eoin Aughey's net.

Otherwise Westmeath were solid in defence, where Conor Shaw was a dominant figure, and the almost unerring accuracy at the other end left them with a commanding lead at the break.

There was very little let-up in the second half either as the visitors slotted over 16 points and added two goals through McCormack and Peter Clarke for good measure.

For Mayo, Duffy continued to be the main scoring threat, adding five more points (two frees), while the hosts left a few goal chances behind them, though so too did Westmeath.

Despite the big victory, Westmeath missed out on promotion and a place in the Division 2 final on scoring difference. Instead it's Laois and Kerry who meet in the final and also gain promotion.

For Mayo, the focus is firmly on the Nickey Rackard Cup now, where the aim is to win the competition outright after losing to Roscommon in heartbreaking fashion in last year's decider.

“The disappointing part of the league is that we shipped a few heavy defeats, but I thought we hurled really well today,” said Mayo manager Ray Larking following the full-time whistle.

He added: “It's a different level. When you make a mistake you get punished. If we give an opponent two yards they've a score taken off us. But I feel we're improving and we'll take the positives out of it. We're playing Armagh in three weeks (in the Nickey Rackard Cup) and all these games will stand to the lads going forward.”

Mayo: K. Duffy; P. Mooney, O. Ivers, A. Rowland; C. Scahill, D. Kenny, O. Greally; J. Heraty (0-1), D. Huane; R. Duffy (0-9, 4f), S. Kenny, E. Delaney (0-3); C. Enright, J. Burke (1-0), S. Boland (0-1f).

Subs used: A. Evans, P. Murphy, S. O'Brien, E. Ryan, B. Garry.

Westmeath: E. Aughey; D. Smith, C. Shaw, N. McKenna; J. Gillen (0-4, 1f), S. Williams, R. Keyes (0-2); A. Shaw (0-1), J. Kearney; E. Cunneen (0-3), D. Williams (0-10, 6f), K. Regan (0-2); D. Ennis (0-1), D. McCormack (1-6), P. Clarke (1-2).

Subs used: M. Cunningham (0-5), C. McCarthy (0-1), C. Regan, C. McKeogh, C. Daly.