Senior Hurling Challenge
January 30, 2012Sligo 0-12
in Ballyheane.
The Mayo Senior hurlers opened their seasons campaign with this seven point win in this challenge match over neighbours Sligo in Ballyheane on Sunday. Both sides struggled with the very difficult underfoot conditions following the torrential overnight rain, but it was Mayo's superior scoring ability which was the difference between the sides.
Mayo manager Murt Connolly gave first senior intercounty run-outs to a number of players on the day with Alan Gavin (Castlebar), Padraig O'Flynn (Castlegar), Gary Nolan (Tooreen), Fergal Lyons (Ballyhaunis), Luke Cribbin (Ballyhaunis), Barry Lane (Castlebar) and Colm Higgins (Westport) all tasting senior intercounty action for the first time. Of the seven newcomers Tooreens Gary Nolan and Padraig O'Flynn of Castlegar both made an impact on proceedings. The Mayo attack was led by newly named captain Keith Higgins, who finished with 0-6 to his credit from both play and from frees. Indeed Higgins could have had a first half hat-trick of goals but on each occasion the conditions on the day came to Sligo's rescue.
Others to show well in the Mayo set-up were fit again Cathal Freeman and Pa Connell, while substitutes Christy McCrudden (0-2) and Sean Markham (1-1) will also be pushing hard for a starting berth this season. Markham's goal came late in the tie as he rounded his man and buried to the Sligo net with style.
Mayo open their NHL campaign on Sunday the 26th of February away to Roscommon in Athleague - leaving them with three weekends of challenge games ahead of the All-Connacht opener.
Mayo: Donall O'Brien (Ballyhaunis); David Horan (Castlebar), Aiden Connolly (Westport), Stephen Connell (Castlegar); Alan Gavin (Castlebar); Pa Connell (0-1)(Castlegar), Fergal Lyons (Ballyhaunis); Padraig O'Flynn (Castlegar), Derek McConn (0-1)(Ballyhaunis); Brian Hunt (Ballyhaunis), Cathal Freeman (0-3)(Tooreen), Paul O'Grady (0-1)(James Stephens); Stephen Hoban (0-1)(Ballyhaunis), Keith Higgins (0-6)(Ballyhaunis), Darren McTighe (Castlebar). Subs: Adrian Brennan (Ballyhaunis) for Horan, Gary Nolan (Tooreen) for Lyons, Luke Cribbin (Ballyhaunis) for Gavin, Christy McCrudden (0-2) (Ballyhaunis) for Hoban, Kenny Feeney (Tooreen) for Hunt, Barry Lane (Castlebar) for O'Brien, Colm Higgins (Westport) for O'Grady, Sean Markham (1-1) (Tooreen) for McTighe.
Ref: Gus Chapman. Tweet
