Mayo on a mission to advance as table toppers
Mayo vice-captain Ben Edeh (wearing 9) will hope to lead his side to another Connacht title when they face Roscommon DL in Mayo's final group game this afternoon. Picture: David Farrell Photography
Mayo League will look to confirm their spot in the FAI Oscar Traynor Cup quarter-finals as they get set to travel to Lecarrow to take on Roscommon & District League this Sunday afternoon.
It would take an unlikely scenario for Mayo to not make the knockout stages, as Roscommon would need to beat Mayo by three goals or more if they are to advance at Mayo’s expense. Mayo sit top of the of Connacht section on goal difference and can top the group, as well as secure a home quarter-final, should they better Galway’s result. The Galweigans will travel to Ray McSharry Park to take on Sligo/Leitrim and will need to better the Mayo result if they are to finish top of the table.
Joe Kelly’s side remain unbeaten after their opening two games. A solid but not spectacular performance saw Sligo/Leitrim beaten 4-1 while they secured a draw in Milebush against the Galway League. While the result against a much-talented Galway was not the worst by any means, the manner of it will have stung as Galway equalised after six minutes of stoppage-time but manager Joe Kelly felt it was a fair result on the day.
“We got a point and we’d be exceptionally happy with that based on our performance. We play Galway a certain way. They’re loaded with talent.
“The difference between the game in Castlebar and the game in Galway last year (which Mayo won 4-1) was we had the second goal cushion and third goal cushion very quickly. We didn’t have that security in Castlebar. We got the goal, we dropped a little bit deeper than we should. We were looking to play a mid-block that became a low block. We had the second to put the game to bed with Ben (Edeh) and he was unlucky not to score.” What made the leveller worse was that after reviewing the goal, the corner-kick should not have been given but Joe Kelly felt a draw was the right result overall.
“We never got that second and for that reason, we invited that pressure on. The timing of the equaliser was sickening and when we looked, we were more sick as it wasn’t a corner. It was just one of those calls in the moment. Not taking anything away from Galway, they deserved a point minimum. It’s still all to play for.” One major positive of Mayo’s play was their defensive set up. Mark Cunningham was played out of his natural position at left back to deal with the threat of Cody McCann, his Celtic teammates Cathal Coyne and Ioseph O’Reilly did little wrong at centre-half and Cillian McGlade was superb at right back.
“Cathal is a Rolls Royce. Very strong lad, technically very good. Himself and Ioseph complement each other well.
“The back four were absolutely brilliant. It was a display any young defender can look at and would have learned so much from the four lads.” Mayo were quick out of the blocks last year but this year has failed to spark to life just yet despite being top of the table. Kelly feels with clubs still in action in the U21 leagues and FAI Junior Cup, they Mayo players have not had the same amount of time to meet up but feels things will open up more now with Roscommon needing to win.
“We’re definitely not as fluent as we were last year. We haven’t had the same meet up time as lads have been involved at club level.
“Both of the opening games didn’t allow us to show our true football potential but I think the Roscommon game will be more open and you’ll see us on the forward foot a lot more.
“Roscommon were beaten by Galway but were well in the game. I was surprised by the Sligo/Leitrim game, I thought they’d win but they got a point. But it’s all to play for. If they win by enough goals, they go through.
Roscommon gave us a tough game last year. We were rusty, it was a tough game and we’re expecting more of the same.” The Mayo manager was to face a nervous wait to see if any of his squad members from Ballyheane, Castlebar Celtic and Westport United made it through their FAI Junior Cup excursions last weekend unscathed. However, Celtic’s Niall Brennan is certain to miss the Roscommon clash as he is away on holidays while Glenhest Rovers’ Conor McCarthy will miss the entire Oscar Traynor campaign due to a long-term injury.
But there should be more than enough for Mayo to get past Roscommon, and top their group.
