Much-changed Mayo rescue draw against Fermanagh
Liam Lavin and Cormac Phillips, right, were sprung off the bench to earn Mayo a draw against Fermanagh.
A much-changed Mayo team had to dig deep to remain unbeaten in the Nicky Rackard Cup after a thrilling finale against Fermanagh in Brewster Park.
The Ernesiders should have been much further ahead than their four-point lead at the break were it not for nine wides in the opening half. It was two points apiece after the opening ten minutes before Mayo's Eoin Delaney got a fortuitous goal from over 50 metres out near the sideline, catching out Fermanagh goalkeeper Francis McBrien and looped into the net.
Fermanagh's response was excellent, with John Duffy and Sean Corrigan prominent. The former edged Fermanagh back in front after Jimmy Tormey knocked down a long ball in and John Duffy found the net.
A point remained between the two as half-time approached but Fermanagh finished the half strongly through points by Sean Corrigan, John Duffy and Tom Keenan to go 1-12 to 1-8 ahead.
Fermanagh would hit the opening six point of the second half to stretch it to ten but Mayo got a lifeline on 47 minutes through a second Eoin Delaney goal, their first score of the second half after a great run by Joe Burke.
Mayo sprung their bench at that point, introducing Liam Lavin, Cormac Phillips and captain David Kenny, and the visitors reeled Fermanagh in. Three points from Cormac Phillips and one each from Sean Kenny, Eoin Delaney, Liam Lavin and Ryan Duffy brought the gap back to four as added time approach.
John Duffy was a key figure in Fermanagh not going behind as he kept the scoreboard ticking with a pair of frees and Tom Keenan's second point left put three between them with two minutes of injury time played.
The drama was only starting, however. Corey Scahill brought Mayo level with a goal after Joe Burke's initial shot was saved but Fermanagh refused to wilt. Sean Corrigan tagged on his seventh point for what appeared to be the winner, but Mayo had a chance to win at the death. Liam Lavin broke away on the counter, but McBrien tipped his effort over the bar.
Mayo will meet Roscommon in the Nicky Rackard Cup final on the June Bank Holiday weekend.
Scorers - Fermanagh: John Duffy 1-6 (0-3f, 0-2 65'), Sean Corrigan 0-7, Jimmy Tormey, Tom Keenan and Ben Corrigan 0-2 each, Adam McShea, Ultan O'Reilly and Odhran Johnston 0-1 each.
Mayo: Eoin Delaney 2-2 (0-1f), Corey Scahill 1-1, Sean Kenny 0-5 (2f, 1 65'), Cormac Phillips 0-3 (2f), Liam Lavin 0-2, Joe Burke and Ryan Duffy 0-1.
Fermanagh: Francis McBrien; Ronan McGurn, Rory Porteous, Odhran Johnston; Michael Rafferty, Ryan Bogue, Ultan O'Reilly; Caolan Duffy, Tom Keenan; Sean Corrigan, Ben Corrigan, Adam McShea; John Duffy, Eoin Clarey, Jimmy Tormey. Subs: Cahir McManus (for Clarey 50), Aidan Flanagan (for Johnston 58).
Mayo: Kevin Duffy; Luke Connor, Mark Phillips, Conal Hession; Evan Heraty, Eoin Ryan, Jack Trench; Sean Kenny, John Heraty; Eoin Delaney, Joe Burke, Michael Farrell; Ronan Fallon, Corey Scahill, Sean Mulroy. Subs: David Kenny, Cormac Phillips and Liam Lavin (for E Heraty, Fallon and Mulroy 42), Connor Murray (for Trench 48), Ryan Duffy (for Farrell 51).
REF: Ciaran McCloskey (Antrim).
