Larkin not too downbeat as focus turns to Roscommon challenge
Mayo manager Ray Larkin with his backroom team of Padraig Mannion (centre) and Nigel Shaughnessy (far left). Picture: David Farrell Photography
Mayo manager Ray Larkin was left to rue the number of good chances his side wasted to complete a comeback as the Green and Red fell to defeat for the first time in the Allianz Hurling League this season.
There will be positives to take from the second-half display against London, who will be operating in the Christy Ring this year while Mayo are a tier below in the Nicky Rackard Cup, as Larkin’s side played well after the interval. It what was the home side’s toughest test so far and there will be as much learnings as there will be confidence taken from the game.
“We knew coming in it would be a good solid test, a big, physical team. There was a strong breeze, we didn’t play well first-half, being (five) down. We rallied well there near the end but too many frees missed let us down. They were easy enough ones,” admitted Larkin.
“We came out and got the first two scores of the second-half but then they got a goal which probably was a bit of a sucker-punch. We played well and it’s still only our first loss. At the end of the day, they’re still a division above us (Christy Ring). We’ll learn a lot from today and we’ll go again next weekend.”
On the two goals that Mayo conceded, Larkin offered: “The first one, Simon (Thomas) got a great bat out but it batted straight to their man (Evan Kelly) and it went straight into the back of the net. The second one, a misread. It went over and behind. It’s one of those goals, do you come out or stay in for it? The mistakes were made further out the pitch. It was a great game of hurling for neutral supporters.”
Shane Boland got Mayo’s fightback up and running with a stunning goal, and they had a chance at the death when Liam Lavin attempted to drive a free through an array of bodies to earn a draw.
“We probably needed that second goal at the end. I know we had a couple of shots in the end but when you’re trying to drive ball between 10 players, it’s impossible.”
Ray Larkin had spoken about the challenges of building a panel while in tight games after the win against Cavan but substitutes Matthew Connor and Joseph Burke both had an impact.
“The first thing Mattie done was a win a ball and got a free out. Joe’s physicality helped him. These tight games, it’s hard to make an awful lot of changes especially when you’re building momentum. We were on top of them for most of that second-half but just couldn’t put it up on the scoreboard.”
Next up is the visit of Roscommon, who sit two points behind Mayo having played a game less. The Rossies almost usurped Mayo’s hopes of reaching the Nicky Rackard Cup final last year and Larkin says they will need to be more accurate in front of the posts if they are to get a result.
“We probably need to work on our shooting, that’s the biggest thing. We’re building a panel and we’re playing Roscommon next weekend and a lot of bodies there will be tired after that game.
“If you look at that performance compared to the first day against Sligo, we won that game but the performance was poor. We’re building all the time, getting plenty of game time for the championship.”
