The Mayo Minor Hurlers have remained on course to retain their All-Ireland MinorC Hurling title after coming through their qualifier round-robin blitz on Saturday in Longford.

Round 1:

Mayo 3-15
Sligo 0-07

Mayo's opening game of the day saw them face near neighbours Sligo. Sligo - who had earlier in the day gone down to Longford on a 3-11 to 3-8 scoreline - knew that defeat would see their elimination from the contest.

As the game materialised, the extra scoring power of the Mayo attack saw the Green and Red pull clear - going in at the break leading by 1-9 to 0-3 - with the Mayo goal coming from full-forward Robert Comer.

The second half again saw Mayo dominate and further Mayo majors from substitute Bryan Moloney with his first touch of the game - and another from the excellent Sam Forde gave Mayo a comfortable seventeen point win. Others to impress for Mayo in this game were midfield pairing Conor Murray and James Gallagher while Mark Phillips was a towering presence for Mayo at full-back.

Mayo: Martin Parsons; Aiden Henry, Mark Phillips, Jack Forde; Dominic Flannery (0-1), Davog Freyne, Conor Ludden; James Gallagher (0-3,2f), Conor Murray (0-2); Jason Coyne (0-1), Sean Brogan (0-4), Niall Robinson (0-2); Ernan Flannery, Robert Comer (1-0), Sam Forde (1-2). Subs: Sean Kenny, Niall McManamon, Bryan Moloney (1-0), Naoise Kenny, Michael Waldron.


Round 2:
Mayo 2-7
Longford 2-7

Both teams went into this tie knowing that a win would see their side through to the All-Ireland MinorC final. Longford had earlier in the day beaten Sligo by 3 points, while Mayo had finished 17 points better than the Yeats men.

Mayo started off the stronger and had a green flag registered within a minute courtesy of in form sharp-shooter Sam Forde. However, Longford showed they werent going to be bullied and clawed their way back into the game courtesy of four converted frees from Joseph Kelly. Mayo also recorded four points of their own in the opening twenty minute half courtesy of Davog Freyne and James Gallagher (3) to leave the half time score at 1-4 to 0-4 in favour of Mayo.

Playing with the aid of the aid of the breeze on the restart, Longford could sence victory and set about to close their 3 point defecit. Kelly again for Longford showed his unerring accuracy by recording another three placed ball efforts. Niall Robinson, and substitute Sean Kenny kept the scoreboard ticking over for Mayo before Sam Forde once again pounced for a Mayo goal against the run of play for Mayo. It was Fordes third goal of the day in total and his best - as he rounded the Longford keeper to shoot low into the corner.

With six points seperating the sides going into the closing stages of the game, Mayo looked home and hosed. However, Longford rallied forward and that man Kelly again rattled home a Longford goal past Mayo keeper Martin Parsons - and with the final play of the game - Longford goaled from close range to leave the sides level at 2-7 apiece at the final whistle. After a brief moment of confusion, the event organisers confirmed that Mayo would advance to the final on scoring difference - much to the relief of the Mayo team and management - who had seen their comfortable six point lead slip away in the closing stages.

Mayo now go forward to face the winners of the Ulster section in the All-Ireland MinorC final on Saturday 6th September, knowing that a much stronger performance will be needed if the Westerners are to retain their All-Ireland MinorC crown in 2014.

Mayo: Martin Parsons (Castlebar); Aiden Henry (Tooreen), Mark Phillips (Ballyhaunis), Jack Forde (Castlebar); Dominic Flannery (Tooreen), Davog Freyne (0-1,f) (Tooreen), Conor Ludden (Castlebar); James Gallagher (0-3,1f) (Castlebar), Conor Murray (Castlebar); Jason Coyne (Ballyhaunis), Sean Brogan (Westport), Niall Robinson (0-1) (Tooreen); Ernan Flannery (Kilmaine), Robert Comer (0-1) (Ballyvary), Sam Forde (2-0) (Castlebar). Subs: Sean Kenny (0-1) (Tooreen) & Ryan Kelly (Casieal Gaels). Tweet

Most Read Stories