20 August 1997
Mayo 3 - 22 Antrim 0 - 7
By Aiden Henry
As you can see by the scoreline, Mayo's senior football challenge with Antrim to mark the official opening of the Gerry Maheady Memorial Park and the Andrew Reilly Club Rooms in Killala on Sunday last, was nothing more than a shooting exercise for the Mayo forwards. There is no doubt John Maughan would have preferred a much stronger test for his team with just two weeks to go before the big match with Offaly in the All-Ireland semi-final in Croke park.
However, the big talking point in Killala on Sunday last was the injury picked up by ace marksman, Maurice Sheridan while assisting his club Balla in their division 1 league game against Claremorris on Saturday night. It is feared that he pulled a hamstring and if so, would be a very doubtful starter on Sunday week.
Getting back to Sunday game the Mayo mentors made a number of changes to their starting fifteen. Both Dermot Flanagan and Pat Fallon were rested while as already mentioned Maurice Sheridan was out through injury. Brian Heffernan replaced Flanagan, David Neaney partnered David Brady at midfield and Kevin O'Neill took over from Sheridan. John Casey switched to centre forward and the number 14 jersey was taken by Liam McHale.
The real big success of Sunday's game was the great performance by David Brady at midfield. This was David's first game in the Mayo colours since his injury last year. He showed that he has returned to full fitness and looks certain to be in Mayo's starting fifteen against Offaly.
From an early stage on Sunday it was evident that Mayo were going to have little difficulty with the Antrim fifteen. By the end of the first quatre they led by 0-6 to 0-3 after points from Kevin O'Neill (two from frees), David Nestor (2), Liam McHale (0-1) and a James Horan special from fifty yards. The game ended really as a contest in the 16th. minute when a great movement involving John Casey, Liam McHale and David Nester, ended with the latter hitting a low shot to the back of the Antrim net. Further points from Kieran McDonnell (2) and one each from McHale, O'Neill and Horan left the Mayo boys in front by 1 - 11 to 0 - 3 at the break.
For the second-half the Mayo mentors brought on Tony Corcoran for Costello, Michael Gardiner for Noel Connelly and Ronan Goulding for McHale. Kieran McDonald and John Casey had early points before McDonnell blasted home Mayo's second goal in the 6th. minute. After this score it was now all one way traffic with the Mayo forwards picking off points from all angles. Indeed, during the second half, five more Mayo subs were given a run - Kevin Beirne, Tony Morley, Ray Connelly, Diarmuid Byrne and P. J. Loftus. Just before the end Kieran McDonald went through to score Mayo's third goal and his second of the game.
Despite the poor opposition there was a number on the Mayo team along with David Brady who gave outstanding performances. Pat Holmes at full back was razor sharp and showed that he was ready to deal with either Vinnie Claffey, Roy Malone or Peter Brady from Offaly. James Nallen was a tower of strength at centre half back. David Heaney was always in the thick of things at midfield and will certainly come into the reckoning for a place in the first fifteen.
Up front John Casey (scored eight points for his club in a league game on Saturday night) who started the game at centre forward, linked up very well with the rest of the forwards and showed that he was much more effective playing out the field. David Nestor was full of running throughout and along with getting some good scores he showed that he had recovered fully from his injury. James Horan looked as if he is returning to last years form. Kieran McDonnell who scored 2 - 4 was outstanding throughout and will certainly pose a lot of problems for the Offaly defence. Kevin O'Neill took over the free taking duties and ended up with a personal tally of five points. He will certainly be in the Mayo team if Maurice Sheridan is unable to play. Liam McHale, who lined out at full forward had a quiet afternoon.
There is no doubt that the competition for places in the Mayo team is getting bigger by the week. Who will be on the starting fifteen against Offaly on Sunday week is anybodies guess. There a number of places up for grabs and they won't be decided on until after next Friday evening's challenge game against Sligo in Crossmolina at 7 p.m.
Mayo: P. Burke, K. Mortimer, P. Holmes, B. Heffernan, F. Costello, J. Nallen, N. Connelly, D. Heaney, D. Brady (0-1), D. Nestor (1-2), J. Casey (0-2), J. Horan (0-3), K. McDonnell (2-4), L. McHale(0-1), K. O'Neill (0-5). Subs. T. Corcoran for (Costello), M. Gardiner for (Connelly), R. Golding (0-3) for (McHale), K. Beirne for (Mortimer), T. Morley for (Nallen), R. Connelly for (Holmes), D. Byrne for (Nestor) and P. J. Loftus (0-1) for (O'Neill).
Antrim: D. Shannon, S. Short, G. Morgan, P. Cabe, P. McCann (0-2), D. Caey, B. McCann, C. McCabe, F. Wilson, P. McCann (0-1), M. Boyle, S. McKenna, E. McAtamaney (0-1), B. Lynch and S. McKenna (0-1).
Referee: Eddie Neary (Sligo).
