Gardiner not getting carried away as Mayo turn over Sligo

Compare Mayo here to where they were 12 months ago, it is night and day. Bottom of the group after falling to Leitrim and Sligo, scoring only 0-24, they have scored 10-38 across their last two games against the same opposition to reach the Connacht U20 final in convincing fashion. As far as Mayo manager Peadar Gardiner is concerned, their hard work is paying off.

“We haven't done much differently to be honest [compared to last year]. We just work hard and that's one of the mantras of the group. We just work hard, consistently turn up and try to improve every match. I think we've done that every match, think we've consistently improved, which you have to do, because if you don't, you won't win these matches. But they're a great bunch of lads, lots of character, great attitude in them. They're a great bunch of lads to be around, they're fun and they're enjoying the environment.” 

It was certainly fun for all involved on the Mayo side, after a brilliant display, with 4-14 coming from their brilliant full-forward line of Darragh Beirne, Niall Hurley and Tom Lydon. But Gardiner was also keen to credit their workrate and the suppliers for their scores.

“It was a great game of football. There was a period there in the second half where it was going away from us. We put ourselves into a good position, but Sligo are a great team, well coached team.

“An away of victory at this grade is hard, hard got. They battled really hard all day from the first whistle. We knew it was going to be big test, and it was a big test. We're delighted to get the result in Markievicz, and we just move on quickly with a match in two weeks and obviously we prepare for that.

“The three lads are excellent players as we all know but they were well supplied as well. A lot of the scores were handed to them as well but it was a real team performance I thought and the pleasing thing with Darragh, Niall and Tom was their work rate and their tackling. We put big pressure on the Sligo kickout today.” Despite the big win, Gardiner says Mayo have plenty to work on, evidenced by a drop off early in the second half where Sligo made hay with some well-taken two pointers.

“I think we switched off. We put ourselves into a right good position there into the first 10 minutes of the second half and then we lost three or four kickouts in a row and then obviously they were shooting two pointers.

“There is loads to work on which is great for us. Sligo dominated some periods that second half and really came at us. They ran at us hard…there's lots of work to do.” “Them two pointers, I think they got three in a row and then a goal or two. The game can slip very fast. No lead is safe in the new game, which is probably great for the dictators, but it’s not good to be on the sideline.” 

 The Mayo management will have some big selection calls to make for the final in a fortnight’s time. Luke Feeney and Dara Neary impressed off the bench, Matthew Gordetskyy and Daithi Butler made their debuts, Josh Carey and Senan Guilfoyle were unused subs while Diarmuid Duffy and Aaron Coggins will also push for places. Despite being the most successful county at this grade with 25 titles, Mayo have not won a title since 2018. But Gardiner doesn’t believe that puts the pressure on this group to deliver.

“Whether they won it last year or seven years ago doesn't really matter to us. It's going to be huge game, there won't be much between any of the teams. Roscommon and Sligo are two very strong teams as we know so we just have to prepare our best and show the best of ourselves on the night. If we do that, we'll be very close.”