MAYO 0-16 TYRONE 3-10
The football was tough and exciting for those who got to Croke Park early today for the first of the minor semi-finals.
Tyrone were the hottest of favourites but the Mayo lads dug deep and put in a gutsy performance before blitzed for 2-4 in a ten minute period midway through the second half.
What was clear from early on was that the Connacht champions would not harry and harass their Ulster rivals and for much of the first 40 minutes they succeeded in choking many scoring opportunities by having all bar two men behind the ball.
However credit to the Tyrone bench. They were struggling around the middle and the tactical changes made, as well perhaps as tiring Mayo legs saw the favourites build a lead which they didn’t look like losing. Mayo did have a goal chance cleared off the line right at the end but disappointment was to be their lot.
For a comprehensive report see Colm Gannon in the Mayo Advertiser (www.advertiser.ie) which is already posted. You can replay the text commentary of the Mayo News also at www.mayonews.ie. You can be assured Willie Joe will have his own thoughts posted later on www.mayogaablog.com.
The scorers on the day for Mayo were – Ryan Quirke (0.1); Michael Forde (0.1); Jack McDonnell (0.3); Darren Coen (0.3); Cillian O’Connor (0.6 3f); Cian Costello (0.1) and James Shaughnessy (0.1).
The Tyrone goals were scored by Richard Donnelly, Thomas Canvan (nephew of Peter) and by the very impressive Ronan Ó Neill who finished the day with 1.4. The conveyer belt is certainly working well for the red hand county.
And so that completes the intercounty season for Mayo fans. Plenty of club action to come but all in all 2010 will not be one we look back on fondly.