Mid-table finish for Mayo Kennedy Cup squad
Mayo's James Devers (centre), joint top scorer at the Kennedy Cup
The Mayo Schoolboys/Girls & Youths AFL U14 boys were in action at the prestigious Kennedy Cup tournament last week.
They finished second in the group stages which saw them placed into the Bowl competition but were beaten by Kilkenny in the quarter-finals, before losing their two placed match against Sligo/Leitrim and Donegal to finish 16th in the 31-team competition.
A special mention to James Dever, who finished the tournament as joint top scorer on eight goals with Sligo/Leitrim’s Oscar Fahey.
In their opening group game, Mayo got off to a flyer as goals from Cillian Keating and James Dever (penalty) saw them beat NDSL 2-1. They were beaten by West Cork 4-0 but won their final group against West Waterford/East Cork 5-2. Dever collected the match ball with a hat trick as well as goals by Jamie Holmes and Sean Walsh.
They played their Bowl quarter-final last Wednesday against Kilkenny. Devers levelled it before half-time but Kilkenny scored the winner midway through the second half to eliminate Mayo from trophy contention.
In their 13th/14th placed match, Sligo/Leitrim comfortably defeated Mayo 5-1, Dever scoring a consolation goal late on before their final match on Friday against Donegal in the 15th/16th placed match. A brace from Devers put Mayo in front before half-time before Ryan Quinn’s goal in the second half sent the game to penalties, with Mayo beaten 4-2.
