Mayo defeated by Derry in Celtic Challenge final
Despite facing a strong Derry challenge and difficult conditions in Abbotstown, Dublin, Mayo’s young hurlers showed tremendous character and resilience throughout a hard-fought All-Ireland Celtic Challenge final that ended 2-16 to 1-7 in the Oak Leaf's favour, writes Eoin Horkan.
Following a delayed start to Saturday's final, Derry got off the mark first when Callum McLaughlin converted a 65 after Mayo had successfully repelled an early attack. However, Mayo responded in impressive fashion, with Toreen’s Conn Delaney drawing his side level with an excellent score from a difficult angle near the sideline.
Derry enjoyed a productive spell during the opening quarter as David Hassan and the accurate McLoughlin helped establish a lead, but Mayo refused to let the game slip away. Rian Fallon and Delaney kept the westerners firmly in touch with a series of well-taken frees, narrowing the deficit and ensuring Mayo remained within striking distance at the break.
The second half was played in increasingly challenging weather conditions, with free-taking becoming a crucial factor. While McLaughlin continued to punish any indiscipline and Martin Óg Bradley's goal gave Derry a significant boost, Mayo continued to battle for every ball and never allowed their opponents to pull completely clear.
Derry added a second goal through Hassan and followed it up with some fine points, but Mayo's spirit and determination remained evident throughout. Delaney added another free in the closing stages before a tactical reshuffle injected fresh life into the attack.
The move paid dividends as Rian Fallon caused immediate problems for the Derry defence after being deployed closer to goal. The Castlebar Mitchels man was rewarded for his persistence in dramatic fashion when he pounced on a loose ball and blasted to the net with the final strike of the contest, providing Mayo with a deserved late highlight.
While the result ultimately went Derry's way, Mayo can take enormous pride from their effort, commitment and refusal to give up. Their task was made even more difficult by the absence of joint captain Zack Smith through a cruciate injury, while full-back Niall Treacy was forced off during the opening half.
Even so, the Mayo side battled to the finish and showed the qualities that suggest a bright future lies ahead for this talented group of players.
Mayo: Val Kitterick; Cian Byrne, Niall Treacy, Patrick McKenzie; Mark Healy, Dylan Greally, Adam Jennings; Callum Threadgold, Jamie Naughton; Matthew Ó Raghallaigh, Rian Fallon (1-4, 4f), Conn Delaney (0-3, 2f); Jack Hose, Muiris Vahey, Killian Hughes.
Subs used: Séan Cogan, Ethan Quinn, Brian Loftus, Séan Donnellan.
Derry: Fionn Wallace; Cathal Duggan, Charlie O’Kane, Anton Farren; Odhran Clark, Ben Douglas, Peader Kelly; Cormac O’Kane, Cody McCullagh (0-1); Callum McLaughlin (0-14, 11f, 1 65), Pearse Murphy, Conor Gillan; David Hassan (1-1), Ruairí Haran, Martin Óg Bradley (1-0).
Subs used: Eoghan Murray, Dylan Irwin, Ben Haran, Conor McCloskey, Cathair Mullan, Eoghan Smith, Eoin McGuigan, Ciaran Crawford, Aidan Kelly.
Referee: Kevin Brady.