Incredible comeback maintains Mayo's All-Ireland hopes

Mayo have reached the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship quarterfinals thanks to a 0-22 to 2-13 victory over Meath in their Round 3 encounter at Hastings Insurance MaHale Park, Castlebar, writes Brian Gillespie.

Victory of any sort, never mind four clear points, seemed unlikely for long periods as the hosts struggled in defence, the concession of two first-half goals leving them seven in arrears (0-7 to 2-8) at the break.

In fairness, the second half showed a much-improved Mayo take to the pitch, leading to a Lazarus-like comeback. Now with win assistance, they outscored the Royals by 15 points to five in the second half, and three of those Meath points came in the opening 10 minutes.

A straight red card for Meath sub Ronan Jones on 55 minutes didn't help their cause. Jones, on the comeback trail following injury, was only on the pitch a matter of four minutes but went in late on Enda Hession and was sent off for the indiscretion.

His team were just four points clear at that stage (2-12 to 0-14), and following his departure, they only scored once more, Jack O'Connor knocking the ball over the black spot on 59 minutes.

That put Meath ahead again (2-13 to 0-18), but it was the last time they held the advantage. Jack Carney's two-pointer a minute later gave Mayo the lead for the first time (0-20 to 2-13) and further scores from Ryan O'Donoghue and Kobe McDonald put them three clear, Meath having started to miscue at the wrong time, kicking two bad wides during the closing stages – including one free by the goalkeeper, Seán Brennan.

Meath had been dominant from the start of the first half. In fact, a free out for a foul on goalkeeper Jack Livingstone on the goal line in the third minute afforded the hosts their first bout of possession. They had only conceded one score in that opening period, however, the point for Meath scored by Jordan Morris, and by the fourth minute the teams were level, Ryan O'Donoghue with the riposte for Mayo.

The danger signs were there, however. Livingstone had to dive full length low to his right to stop a goal-bound shot by Jack O'Connor as early as the fifth minute, the gap through which the Meath man surged igniting levels of panic in the Green and Red supporters.

The Meath 'keeper, Seán Brennan, popped the 45 over the bar, the busy James Conlon followed up with a nice score after a good build-up, and Matthew Costello was just inside the arc with he split the posts to put the Royals 0-4 to 0-1 up on 10 minutes.

Cian McBride palmed the ball over Livingstone's bar just a minute later in what was another worrying moment for Mayo, the defence having been cut open again.

The hosts needed a boost and they got it when Jack Carney invited Kobe McDonald to take a pass at pace and the young Crossmolina man obliged, firing his shot over on the run.

It was a temporary reprieve, however, as Meath scored the first goal of the game just a minute later, Ciarán Caulfield with the finish after the visitors attacked at pace having forced a turnover – though Mayo could feel aggrieved as it looked as though Enda Hession had been fouled before possession was relinquised.

Wides from the normally reliable Ryan O'Donoghue (free) and McDonald compounded matters, and Meath added points from Bryan Menton and Morris to go 1-7 to 0-2 up after 23 minutes.

Darragh Beirne and McDonald combined for the latter to shoot for goal, Brennan coming to the rescue for the Royals, but the subsequent 45 was scored by McDonald.

A second Meath goal, scored by Seán Coffey after a big gap appeared in the Mayo defence again, put the visitors 2-7 to 0-3 ahead but finally Mayo found a bit of rhythm, Enda Hession inspiring them with two points on the spin, while Jordan Flynn and McDonald scored after Ciarán Caulfield had pointed for Meath, leaving it 2-8 to 0-7 at the break.

The Royals enjoyed a positive start to the second half too, going 2-10 to 0-7 ahead with scores from Jack O'Connor and James Conlon.

A two-pointer from Jordan Flynn in the 43rd minute was just the inspiration Mayo needed. Bob Tuohy followed up with a single and while Jack Flynn stopped the rot for Meath, O'Donoghue and sub Tommy Conroy scored two in quick succession for the hosts, who had started to dominate.

The Meath 'keeper was forced into a good save to deny Enda Hession and Meath punished their hosts as Seán Coffey pointed at the other end, the margin still six (2-12 to 0-12).

But Mayo were dominating possession now and the points started to come. The sending-off for Jones didn't help as Mayo outscired Meath by 0-10 to 0-1 in the final 18 minutes, Flynn and Carney landing two-pointers, O'Donoghue and Conroy popping over two each, and McDonald and sub Cian McHale with one each, Jack O'Connor with the solitary reply for the visitors.

Mayo: J. Livingstone; J. Coyne, D. McHugh, E. McGreal; S. Callinan, D. McBrien, E. Hession (0-2); J. Flynn (0-5, 2tp), J. Carney (0-2tp); P. Durcan, C. Loftus, B. Tuohy (0-1); D. Beirne, R. O'Donoghue (0-4, 1f), K. McDonald (0-4, 1 45).

Subs used: D. O'Connor, T. Conroy (0-3), C. McHale (0-1), M. Ruane, S. Coen.

Meath: S. Brennan (0-1, 45); S. Lavin, S. Rafferty, K. Smyth; D. Keogan, B. Menton (0-1), S. Coffey (1-1); C. McBride (0-1), J. Flynn (0-1); J. O'Connor (0-2), M. Costello (0-1), C. Caulfield (1-1); J. Morris (0-2), J. Conlon (0-2), E. Frayne.

Subs used: B. O'Halloran, R. Jones, C. O'Connor, C. Hickey, J. McEntee.

Referee: P. Faloon (Down).