Final heartache as Oscar prize escapes Mayo
The Mayo team that started last Sunday's FAI Oscar Traynor Cup final against Waterford & District League at Umbro Park, Milebush. Picture: David Farrell Photography
There was nothing left on the field by a heroic Mayo but ultimately it was not enough as they were beaten on home turf by a clinical Waterford & District League in the FAI Oscar Traynor Cup Final.
Mayo were the better side over the 90 minutes on Sunday but goals conceded either side of half-time proved fatal. It appeared that another chance could fall Mayo’s way after Ben Edeh scored with 16 minutes remaining but it never materialised and Waterford scored on the counter in stoppage time to double their lead and win their first Oscar Traynor Cup since 2005.
You could not ask for better conditions for a game of football as the sun beamed down on Milebush. Mayo were content to soak the pressure up in the opening 20 minutes as Waterford looked to go direct with balls over the top into the path of Conor Whittle, Mark O’Keeffe and Regix Madina, but the Mayo defence, with Mark Cunningham in outstanding form, snuffed out any danger.
Their first shot on goal on 20 minutes would give Waterford the lead, although there will be some questions over whether Darryl Walsh had meant to score. A Waterford corner was not dealt with convincingly by Mayo and the ball was kept alive by the visitors. Walsh won possession at the edge of the penalty area and curled it back into the six yard box. His cross was overhit and the ball sailed over everyone, including Mayo goalkeeper Gary Cunningham, and into the net.
To their credit, Mayo responded brilliantly and were the better side until half-time. A glorious chance was missed, however, to equalise on 25 minutes. Mark Cunningham’s cross-field pass found Edeh in space down the right but after leaving a defender for dead with a dummy, he was caught in two minds whether to shoot or square the ball to Jordan Loftus and he skewed the effort wide.
Mayo’s aggressive play continued, with Waterford’s back three under immense pressure. Mayo forced a number of corners and Oran Groarke’s deliveries were leaving Waterford in a panic. They got their reward on 33 minutes as just like his delivery in the semi-final against Sligo/Leitrim, Groarke found Dylan McKee and his glancing header nestled in the top corner.
A change in formation saw Waterford go to a more traditional back four. It did little to stop the Mayo domination but they retook the lead against the run of play on the stroke of half-time. A direct ball by Adam Conway over the top beat the Mayo defence on this occasion as Mark O’Keeffe got in behind and poked past Gary Cunningham into the bottom corner.
Disaster struck for Mayo when they conceded a third two minutes into the second half as one of Waterford’s brighter performers, Regix Madina, bundled in from three yards via a corner.
It was a major shock but Mayo continued to battle. Darren Browne was twice denied by Waterford goalkeeper Craig Dunphy, the latter chance seeing him stop Browne’s header from six yards.
Raff Cretaro, Harrison Quinn and Jack O’Connor were introduced and the latter set-up Mayo’s lifeline on 74 minutes. O’Connor drove down the left and crossed in into the area. Loftus kept the ball alive and crossed it back into Edeh. Waterford tried to clear but goalkeeper Craig Dunphy knocked the ball off Edeh and it bounced into the net.
Sadly, another chance would not arrive for Mayo in the final 20 minutes Waterford killed off any hopes in added time as they broke forward with a quick counter. The move was finished off by Conor Whittle into the bottom corner and Mayo’s wait for a maiden Oscar Traynor Cup goes on.
