Mayo in electric form against Tir Chonaill boys
The Mayo U17 hurlers who got the better of home team Donegal, in Convoy, last Saturday.
Electric Ireland Celtic Challenge Hurling Championship – Round 2
Mayo 1-14
Donegal 1-8
In Convoy
Mayo came from behind to win this hugely entertaining U17 hurling championship encounter at blustery Convoy on Saturday.
The home side started the better, with Corey Sheridan landing some sublime points from play and frees. The strong breeze aiding Donegal meant Mayo had to defend staunchly in the opening quarter.
Once the visitors settled, corner-forward David Delaney reeled in the home side with an excellent point from play before Oisin Duffy drove forward to leave it 0-4 to 0-2 on the ten minute mark. Donegal pushed further ahead when Johnny Lin and Liam Doogan landed good scores from play before Delaney replied once again from a free.
Former Mayo and Westport player Caolán O’Reilly caused problems for his former teammates early on, winning some good possession on the edge of the small square, but the vital scores Donegal badly needed with the strong breeze at their back never materialised as Mayo centre-back Matthew Delaney, wing-backs Cian Fahy and James Curran and the hardworking midfield duo of Oisin Duffy and Eoin Enright closed down attack after attack.
Two super goals arrived before the short whistle with Donegal pouncing first when the outstanding Corey Sheridan sent a piledriver to the back of the Mayo net. Donegal led 1-6 to 0-3 with five minutes to play before man-of-the-match David Delaney drove at the home side and slipped by two defenders to unleasha low shot that flew into the corner. That score was vital as it lifted Mayo’s spirits heading for the dressing rooms.
The second-half was nip and tuck early on with Sheridan again pushing Donegal four in front before Mayo rattled off five magnificent points in ten minutes to take the lead for the first time. Fionn Delaney landed three, two from play, with centre-forward Niall Peoples also hitting two great scores from out the field.
Donegal never buckled and two further points from Corey Sheridan kept them in the game. Mayo, however, had their dander up and headed for home with ten minutes still on the clock. Oisin Duffy, substitute Aaron Harcourt, Niall Peoples and Fionn Delaney continued to torment the under pressure Donegal rearguard with magical scores from play.
The strong breeze aided their efforts in the second-half but it was Mayo's winning mentality and determination to take the points home that was the deciding factor at the finish.
Scorers – Mayo David Delaney 1-2, Fionn Delaney 0-5, Niall Peoples 0-4, Oisin Duffy 0-2, Aaron Harcourt 0-1.
Donegal: Corey Sheridan 1-6, Johnny Lin and Liam Doogan 0-1 each.
Donegal: Fionn McNulty; Shay Bradley, Ryan Browne, Shay Devlin; Jack Dooher, Kyron McColgan, Fionn O’Riordan; Eoin McDaid, Johnny Lin; Liam Doogan, Corey Sheridan, Shay Winters; Devlin McColgan, Caolán O’Reilly, Joe Gibbons. Subs: Dylan Patten, Pierce McConalogue, Daithí Sheerin, Ryan Grannell, Ruairí Bradley, Rhys McGrory, Anton O’Loughlin.
Mayo: Liam Heneghan; Marc Munnelly, Conor Loftus, Cillian Curley; James Curran, Matthew Delaney, Cian Fahy; Oisin Duffy, Eoin Enright; Michael Finan, Niall Peoples, Kevin Rowland; Fionn Delaney, Dylan Quinn, David Delaney. Subs: Eoin Murray, Aaron Harcourt.
