Nightmare start sends Mayo crashing out of FAI Oscar Traynor Cup
Mayo’s Johnnie Cocozza is surrounded by a number of Limerick players as he sets up an attack during the Oscar Traynor Cup semi-final at Umbro Park, Castlebar, this afternoon. Picture: David Farrell Photography
There was more Milebush heartache for the Mayo League in the FAI Oscar Traynor Cup as they were beaten 2-1 by Limerick League in the semi-final.
A good start was needed for Mayo, but Limerick took the lead inside the opening minute. Kevin Kitterick was outmuscled in the middle of the park and Limerick broke down the flank Tommy Frawley found Kieran O’Donnell with the cross and he coolly placed it into the net.
It got worse for the home side when Mark Cunningham brought down Leon Daly in the area and referee John O’Connor pointed to the spot, with Shane Walsh burying his spot kick past Stefan Hester.
Mayo eventually settled and pulled a goal back on 23 minutes. A through ball by Oran Groarke was played in for his Castlebar Celtic teammate Niall Brennan and while Limerick goalkeeper Gary Neville reached it first, his clearance was poor as it only made its way to Mayo captain Jordan Loftus who tucked it away into the empty net.
The home side had the lions share of the ball for the remainder of the first half and their best chance to level it came on 39 minutes. Cillian McGlade picked out Jordan Loftus from the right, but the striker’s effort was blocked by Adam Lipper.
At the other end, the Mayo defence were much more solid, the centre back duo of Cathal Coyne and Mark Cunningham snuffing out the Limerick threat.
Mayo continued to dominate the ball in the opening 15 minutes of the second half but lacked the final ball necessary to break Limerick down. A set-piece looked the likely way through and they almost levelled it on 65 minutes but Niall Brennan could not direct his header on goal from Oran Groarke’s corner.
Limerick almost put this semi-final to bed on 72 minutes as Conor Coughlan’s strike from a tight angle came back off the underside off the crossbar and off the line.
It was all Mayo for the final 20 minutes of the game, but their final ball continued to let them down as their chances of back-to-back finals faded away.
