FL1: McCurry brace sinks Mayo

February 09, 2014

Tyrone's Colm Cavanagh and Jason Gibbons of Mayo.
©INPHO/Presseye/Darren Kidd.
Tyrone 2-15
Mayo 0-15

Goals in either half from Darren McCurry proved decisive as Tyrone secured their first victory of the Allianz League at Mayo's expense in Healy Park.

Leading by 1-9 to 0-6 at half-time, the home side were forced to withstand a second half fightback by James Horan's men who had narrowed the gap to four points, 0-13 to 1-14, before McCurry's second major with seven minutes to settled it.

Mattie Donnelly was the outstanding forward on view in the opening 35 minutes, kicking some great scores, but he was eclipsed in the second half by Adam Gallagher who led the Mayo revival.

Following today's win and their draw with Derry last weekend, Tyrone have three points, while Mayo are propping up the table along with Westmeath and Kerry after also losing in Newbridge last weekend.

In what was a very open and enjoyable game, it was 0-2 apiece after four minutes with Donnelly bringing Tyrone level after Cathal Carolan and Keith Higgins had shot early points for the visitors.

Higgins' effort could just as easily have been a goal, while late call-up David Drake could also have had an early goal, with Niall Morgan producing a great save to deny him.

Following those early let-offs, the hosts reeled off an unanswered 1-4 to take a firm grip on proceedings. Mattie Donnelly, Darren McCurry and Peter Harte all had points before the highly influential Harte set up McCurry for a 21st minute goal.

Adam Gallagher replied with a much-needed point for the beaten All-Ireland finalists, while Lee Keegan also raised a white flag to close the gap. But with Donnelly in unerring form, Tyrone went on to lead by double-scores at the break.

Mayo were much improved in the second half with Gallagher and Kevin McLoughlin landing scores to bring them back into contention. They also passed up another goal chance when Aidan O'Shea failed to convert at the start of the half.

Points from Ciaran McGinley, goalkeeper Niall Morgan and Ronan O'Neill (free) kept the Westerners' at arm's length before McCurry's superb late goal sealed the win.

Tyrone - N Morgan (0-1f); A McCrory, C Clarke, B Tierney; C McGinley (0-2), P Harte (0-1), T McCann; C Cavanagh, C Grugan; E McKenna, S McGuigan, P Hughes; D McCurry (2-4, 0-1f), Mattie Donnelly (0-5), R O'Neill (0-1f). Subs: C McAliskey (0-1) for Hughes, S Cavanagh for McKenna, Mark Donnelly for McGuigan, D Carlin for Tierney for Tierney, P McNeice for McCurry.

Mayo - R Hennelly; K Keane, G Cafferkey, C Boyle; L Keegan (0-1), S McHale, D Drake; A O'Shea, J Gibbons; C Carolan (0-1), K Higgins (0-1), A Gallagher (0-9, 6f), K McLoughlin (0-2), A Moran (0-1), D O'Connor. Subs: B Harrison for Boyle, B Gallagher for O'Connor, M Conroy for Carolan, J Doherty for Cafferkey, A Freeman for Keegan.

Referee - P Hughes.

Most Read Stories