Larkin: ‘These games will stand to us an awful lot’

It may have been a second defeat, and it may mean Mayo are still without a win in Division 2 of the National Hurling League, but manager Ray Larkin is still looking at the bigger picture.

Several of his Tooreen contingent, including Shane Boland, Daniel Huane, David Kenny, Bobby Douglas and Oisin Greally got their first minutes of the season since their club’s All-Ireland final defeat a month ago, while Sean Kenny, Liam Lavin and Conal Hession are still to return.

Throw-in the impact of Westport corner-back Michael Gallagher, Ballina goalkeeper Kevin Duffy as well as Castlebar Mitchels duo Corey Scahill and Colm Enright, and the Mayo squad is getting stronger by the week, even if first choice regulars are ‘a bit rusty’.

“The likes of Michael Gallagher, they wouldn't have played at this high level, and even with the training, high level training, Ronan Fallon, Darren McTigue as well. Conor Murray was injured there as well today. We still have loads of lads to come back, and you know, as we sit there, we just need to keep progressing on what we're trying to do and hopefully we might get a win somewhere that keeps us up,” said Ray Larkin after the game.

Back-to-back Christy Ring Cup finalists Derry inflicted a ten-point defeat on Mayo, with two first-half goals ultimately the undoing of the visitors.

“I thought we started really well. I think it was 4-1 or something at one stage. It was a crawl back with a couple of frees and just two unlucky goals that really set the tempo of the first-half. Second-half, I think we were nine, ten points down the whole time. We just couldn't bring it down to seven or six even and see from there.

“You look at Michael Gallagher, he was excellent, I thought. Padraig Mooney had a great game. Shane O'Brien there came in from Loughrea, hurled well. It's these games you want to play, and we'll take something out of it. We move on, we've three weeks of a break before we go again now and hopefully we'll have three weeks of hard training, and we'll be in a better place by then.” 

Larkin added: “[Kevin has] done well for a couple of weeks. The only reason Bobby (Douglas) came on the second-half was to get a distance on the puck out. We're into that breeze and that's the only reason why, he'd done well up to that.

“They’re a fine team, in fairness to them. I know they've lost the first two games but, you know, they're improving and I know they have a few more lads to come back as well.

“We have to be mindful of the quality they have as well. We're playing in a high grade at the moment and once we keep taking something out of the game, hopefully we can sneak another win somewhere. Hopefully it might keep us up.” 

Mayo have three league games remaining to keep their survival hopes alive. Before a trip to Kerry and a home tie against Westmeath next month, Mayo take on Meath in what could be a crucial encounter. But whatever happens, games against Christy Ring and Joe McDonagh opposition will be a great benefit to the Green and Red before they get their own championship underway in the Nicky Rackard Cup.

“We said at the start of year, for us to survive the league, that's our aim, and then push on for the championship.

“We’ve Meath at home, Kerry away. Kerry gave London a bit of a clipping there. Westmeath, the last game, they're all serious teams. If we can get something out of every game we play, coming into the championship, then we'll be in a good spot. These games will stand to us an awful lot.

“It's the pace of the game. When you're playing junior hurling or senior in Mayo, you have time on the ball. You don't get time here on the ball as someone is behind you the whole time. You see the Laois game and again today, running off the shoulder. The days of just striking a ball and not looking at it are gone. You have to go to the next job. This is what we need to do.”