Allianz National Football League Division 1B
Mayo 0-12 Fermanagh 2-2
At Brewster Park last Sunday, in front of 3000 spectators, Mayo produced one of their finest displays in recent memory. The trip to the United States has obviously rejuvenated the team. Mayo were very sharp and their defence was disciplined. Colm McManaman and David Brady ran the show in midfield, winning almost everything while Marty McNicholas of Breaffy had a great debut scoring three points in the first half. Noel Connelly scored two points running from the middle of the field to do so, James Gill, David McDonagh and Trevor Mortimer all scored points and Ronan Loftus was absolutely brillant with his free takings. They played inspired football at times. Fermanagh were not the same team which had an impressive run in last years Ulster Football Championship, they just could not stop Mayo.
It took Fermanagh, a team with an outstanding forward line, 50 minutes to register a score from play. At half-time Fermanagh were holding on by a goal then Rory Gallagher scored from the penalty spot after a controversial decision by the referee.
In the second half Mayo started strong again with scores from Ronan Loftus and Marty McNicholas widening the gap to 8 points. Fermanagh tried to respond and when they got their first point from play a cheer went up from the home supporters, as they still could not believe what was happening to their team. Fermanagh scored another point courtesy of Rory Gallagher and a goal came from substitute Martin McGrath, but it was not enough. Mayo defended well and got vital scores in the last 10 minutes. Stephen Carolan scored a superb point from the right wing and to put a darker shadow on the game for Fermanagh, Shane King was dismissed after receiving a second bookable offence minutes from the final whistle.
Mayo still have a problem with their wides, notching up a tally of 16. But the impressive displays from Ray and Noel Connelly, Colm McManaman, David Brady, Marty McNicholas and David McDonagh evened things out. The scorers for Mayo were: N. Connelly(0-2), J. Gill(0-1),D. McDonagh(0-1), M. McNicholas(0-4), T. Mortimer(0-1), R. Loftus(0-2), S. Carolan(0-1).
Avid readers will note that I correctly predicted this result. I also predicted a Corofin win in the Connaght Club Championships Semi Finals, Check out the GAA Briefs to see if I got 2/2.
AIB Connaght Club Football Championship Final Preview
Crossmolina of Mayo will take on Corofin of Galway this Sunday at St Tiernans Park, Crossmolina in the AIB Connaght Club Football Championship Final. It’s the game everybody wanted to see but no one thought it would happen. The Galway Board were fined because of the delay of the Connaght Club Semi Final, which was postponed for a few weeks because of the Galway County Final being delayed due to the Galway Team reaching the All Ireland Final. But while the County board were struggling to enter a team into the competition Crossmolina were beating Kilbride and Bunninadden.
This will be Crossmolina’s toughest task since they met Na Fianna in the All Ireland Semi Final last year. Corofin, who won the All Ireland Title in 1998, have very good players such as Donnelan, Conlisk and O’Donavan. They have defeated Mountbellew/Moylough, Kilanin and Aughavas of Leitrim in successive weeks. They were reported to be tired and jaded in last weekend’s clash against Aughavas so it is likely that it was a light training session Corofin were doing this week.
Corofin will be missing their county centre half Jason Killeen through injury. Crossmolina will be missing players as well with Gerard O’Malley in the Lebanon, Stephen Rochford is expected to slot into the left half back position. Elsewhere there are no changes expected.
Crossmolina will find it tough against players such as Martin McNamara, Ray and Brian Silke, John and James Lardner and midfielders Kieran Fitzgerald and Aiden Donnellan will cause problems. Nevertheless I think Crossmolina will more than match them so I predict a Crossmolina win!!!
All Ireland U21B Hurling Championship Final
This Saturday at Hyde Park, Roscommon, Mayo take on Westmeath in the Final of the All Ireland U21B Hurling Championship. The final was scheduled for October 30th but was postponed due to Hyde Park not being playable. Things have changed since then, the quality of playing fields has deteriorated due to winter setting in – it’s not exactly the time of year to be presenting silverware. Mayo got to the final by defeating Armagh in the Semi-final on September 16th. Westmeath reached the final via Kerry which took a replay to decide the winner, that game was played on the August Bank Holiday Weekend. Westmeath are going into the final as favourites situated in Division 2 of the National Hurling League and with Mayo only in Division 3. But the Mayo team are still very optimistic. The Mayo team will be: Tomas Duffy, Seamus Glynn, Declan Cafferkey, Kevin Healy, Patrick Freyne, Paddy Barret, Paul McConn, Ciaran Conroy(captain), John Duffy, Andrew Howard, Sean Ganley, Gerard McDonnell, Martin Devaney and Stephen Broderick.
GAA News Brief
- Cashman selected as new Cork Hurling Manager.
- Paidi O’Se voted Football Manager of the Month.
- Four Roads of Roscommon defeated Toreen of Mayo by 4 points in the AIB Connaght Hurling Championship Semi Final.
- Rice College, Westport defeated Ballyhaunis C.S. in the Connaght Colleges Senior ‘B’ Football League.
- Davitts defeated Kilmeena by 1 point in the Mayo Minor ‘B’ Football Championship Final Replay.
- Mayo Ladies present ‘The Saw Doctors’ Thursday November 23rd in the Travellers Friend, Castlebar at 8pm, Tickets £8 and all proceeds go to Mayo Ladies Holiday Fund.
- Mayo have to travel to London in the first round of the Connaght Championship next Summer. The winners will play Sligo in the Semi-final.
- Galway face Leitrim in the first round of the Connaght Championship next summer. The winners will play Roscommon or New York in the Semi Final.
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