Mayo prove too strong for Leitrim in Carrick

Mayo kept their winning run going in the Dalata Connacht GAA Under 20 Football Championship with a dominant 3-21 to 1-12 victory over Leitrim in Carrick-on-Shannon, writes Brian Gillespie.

It was the most complete performance to date from Keith Higgins' charges as they took control of proceedings early in the first half and never let up at any stage once dominance had been established.

The signs were good from the start, although the teams shared the first four scores. McDonald split the posts almost straight from throw-in and Beirne confidently slotted over while Paul Honeyman landed two frees, all with just four minutes played.

The hosts were rocked in the fifth minute, however, as Darragh Beirne opened up space and found Dylan Flynn free in front of goal, with the latter finishing confidently past Leitrim 'keeper Scott Kerr.

The netminder was plucking the ball out of the net again just a minute later after Mayo forced a turnover in the middle and McDonald collected possession running through on goal, blasting a shot beyond the stranded Kerr.

Leitrim had spells of possession but found no easy way through a Mayo rearguard in which Tom Lambert, Aaron Coggins and Josh Moyles impressed, while Colm Lynch – the captain – lit up proceedings with a two-pointer, following closely with another from Tom Lydon.

The impressive Lydon finished the half with three more points to his name, while Lynch scored another two-pointer.

There was some late energy from Leitrim as Ronan Fox scored a good point from play while Honeyman, their talisman, scord one free and another from play, blasting over from an acute angle – possibly with goal on his mind.

That still left a big gap at the break (2-12 to 0-5), and Leitrim just weren't able to make sufficient inroads in the second half.

In fact, Mayo started the new period in whirlwind fashion with two points inside 60 seconds courtesy of Rio Mortimer and Darragh Beirne.

A two-pointer by Leitrim half-time sub Bailey McBride cancelled out those efforts, but Mayo were able to pick off scores with greater ease, Oisín Deane, Colm Lynch (two), Tom Lydon (two), Kobe McDonald and sub Nathan Roddy all splitting the posts during that second half.

The stand-out score from their point of view, however, was a goal in 46th minute as another sub, Conor Jordan, picked out Beirne with a good pass and the Claremorris man finished expertly.

Leitrim never gave up and were rewarded with a goal of their own with 10 minutes to go, Colm McLoughlin with a good high fetch and low finish beyond the Mayo netminder, Conor Meaney, who had earlier denied the same man following a similar move.

Honeyman continued to pick off scores too, including a two-pointer that looked quite effortless, while Ronan Fox split the posts as well, but the hosts were a beaten docket long before the full-time whistle sounded.

Leitrim: S. Kerr; A. Gardiner, D. Gardiner, O. Foley; D. Greenan, L. Braam-Farrell, N. Torsney; O. Molloy, C. Moran; E. McNamara, F. McManus, R. Fox (0-2); R. O'Rourke, C. McLoughlin (1-0), P. Honeyman (0-8, 1tp, 1 45, 4f).

Subs used: B. McBride (0-2tp), H. Bracken, G. Gallagher, R. Connolly, N. Cox.

Mayo: C. Meaney; J. Lavelle, T. Lambert, A. Coggins; C. Lynch (0-6, 2tp), R. Mortimer (0-1), J. Moyles; D. Staunton, J. Holmes; A. Quinn, K. McDonald (1-3), D. Flynn (1-0); D. Beirne (1-2), O. Deane (0-1), T. Lydon (0-7, 1tp).

Subs used: T. Tuffy, C. Jordan, D. Neary, N. Roddy (0-1), Y. Coghill.

Referee: D. Lyons (Roscommon).