Late Boland winner downs the All-Ireland champions
Mayo's Fergal Boland struck a late winner against Dublin. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
A 73rd minute winner from Fergal Boland sent Mayo fans delirious with delight for the narrowest of wins over All-Ireland champions Dublin.
Both sides had chances to win in late on but after a well won free by Cillian O’Connor on the right, Ryan O’Donoghue played it quickly to the centre and the Aghamore sent it over to make it two wins from two for Kevin McStay.
Mayo were certainly the happier of the two at half-time as they recovered from a four-point deficit to level it at 0-8 each.
It was a laboured start from the Green and Red as they stood off the Dubs and the Boys in Blue waited to pick off Mayo, with a brace each from Cormac Costello, Jack McCaffrey and one each from Brian Fenton and Con O’Callaghan putting them into a 0-6 to 0-2 lead with 20 minutes played, Jack Carney and Colm Reape (free) firing over monster scores in response.
Spearheaded by captain Paddy Durcan, Mayo roared back to draw level with O’Donoghue hitting five of Mayo’s next six scores with his fourth point before the break off the outside of the boot a real highlight.
Once again, Dublin started the brighter in the second half with three points on the spin before the a crucial moment on 51 minutes after another Ryan O’Donoghue free when Mayo found the net through the unlikeliest of sources as Stephen Coen palmed home Jordan Flynn’s dropped attempt at a point.
Another two frees from O’Donoghue were cancelled out by Costello, O’Callaghan and Cian Murphy but when it appeared a share of the spoils looked inevitable, Boland kept his calm to secure a memorable win.
Mayo are back out in two weeks’ time against Kerry for another Saturday night showdown on February 17.
