Mayo ease past Sligo

Reigning Connaught Under 20 football champions Mayo qualified for this year's decider following a facile 1-25 to 1-6 victory over Sligo in Elverys MacHale Park, Castlebar, this evening.

In the final, which will be played next Wednesday (July 10), Mayo will meet arch rivals Galway in Tuam Stadium at 7.30 p.m.

From start to finish Mayo were in control of this semi-final. By the end of the opening quarter they were already four points in front, 0-6 to 0-2, following some delightful points from Evan O'Brien, Tommy Conroy (two), Aiden Orme (0-2) and Paddy Goldrick.

In the second quarter Mayo continued to turn good possession into scores, tacking on six more points.

In fairness to Sligo, they continued to battle hard and had a great chance of a goal in the 25th minute when they were awarded a penalty. However, Alan Reilly's effort, although well struck, was brilliantly saved by Mayo 'keeper James McNicholas.

At half-time the game was more or less over as a contest as Mayo held a 10-point lead, 0-12 to 0-2.

It was more of the same from Mayo after the resumption as they continued to dominate and kept the scoreboard ticking over with some great points.

Two goals were scored in the second half - one for each side - with Sean Carroll getting Sligo's goal in the 50th minute and Mayo corner back Oisin Mullin raising a green flag for the home side six minutes later.

In the end it was all too easy for Mayo, who will find things a lot more difficult when they meet Galway in a week's time.

 

Mayo: J. McNicholas, J. Coyne, R. Brickenden, O. Mullin (1-0), A. McDonnell, C. Beirne, E. McLaughlin, E. O’Brien (0-6), G. Durcan (0-2), J. Gallagher (0-1), P. Towey (0-1), P. Goldrick (0-2), A. Orme (0-3), S. McGreal (0-3), T. Conroy (0-5).

Subs used: D. McBrien, D.Gannon, N. Moran (0-1), M. Moran (0-1), K. Conway, C. Gavin.

Sligo: A. Davey, E. Lyons, J. Ellis, D. Barrett, C. Surlis, K. McKenna, N. Connolly, B. Gorman (0-4), D. McDermott, G. Gorman, A. Reilly (0-1), J. Carroll, L. Towey, S. Deignan (0-1), R. McHugh.

Subs used: S. Carroll (1-0), H. Gilvarry, C. Marren, C. Brett, P. Flynn, E. Hallinan.

Referee: J. Molloy (Galway).