Magnificent Mayo hammer sorry Louth to reach All-Ireland final
Ryan O'Donoghue celebrates scoring Mayo's first goal. Picture: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo
Not many could separate them before this semi-final, but Mayo made a mockery of the predictions with a one-sided win over Louth to send them into a first All-Ireland Final since 2021.
The early jitters by Mayo were nothing more than a false alarm as following the opening score by Louth half-back Dara McDonnell, Ryan O’Donoghue found the net after a clever ball by Paul Towey.
O’Donoghue and Beirne extended the lead, but Louth were level on 14 minutes through three points by Ciaran Downey (including one two-pointer) and a single by Conor Grimes.
Sam Mulroy put Louth back in front with a two-point free, but O’Donoghue kicked four of the next five points, with a first two-pointer among his efforts, to nudge Mayo back ahead.
Kobe McDonald and Darragh Beirne, a free, brought the lead out to three but the Wee County, who had the breeze in the first half, restored parity through Grimes, with a great two-pointer among his scores.
The game turned in Mayo’s favour in the final five minutes of the half when Mayo struck 1-1. Towey pointed on the half hour mark and two minutes later, a point attempt by Beirne fell short and into the hands of Sam Callinan, who then laid it off to the onrushing Beirne who poked home to make it 2-9 to 0-11 at the break.
The second half was one to remember, who kept Louth to only four points and scoreless for the opening 20 minutes of the second period. But by then, the game was over as a contest as Mayo hit 1-5 without reply. A two-pointer from Jordan Flynn, two points from McDonald, singles from O’Donoghue, a free, and Cian McHale, and Conor Loftus’s brilliant goal on 49 minutes following a turnover and excellent run by Tommy Conroy.
Downey (three) and Durnin were Louth’s only scorers in the second half as the final 15 minutes encapsulated the gulf in class on the day. Mayo finished Louth off through McDonald, Matthew Ruane and a with a trio of two-point frees by O’Donoghue, the final one coming after the hooter blew and with the Mayo sideline on the field.
The Belmullet man was always going to kick it and like the result, there was never doubt.
Dublin or Kerry, who will meet in the other semi-final tomorrow, await in the decider on Sunday, July 26.
