Pre-Oscar Traynor Cup Challenge
Soccer News 13 November 1996
Alarm Bells Rings Out For Manager Duffy. . .
Students give Mayo defensive lesson
University College Dublin - 3 Mayo - 1
A harsh lesson in defensive concentration and organisation has been handed out to Mayo. . .just when they needed it. The warning signs were highlighted at Belfield on Sunday by University College Galway in a cracking pre-Oscar Traynor Cup challenge.
The game may have been one in which the West of Ireland side dominated for long periods, but they learned the cost of giving away soft goals. In fairness, the score-line did scant justice to Mayo. But they must improve at the back if they expect to make progress this season.
Manager P.J. Duffy, whose charges face Inishowen at Buncrana on December 1st, expressed satisfaction with the commitment and spirit of his squad.
"There is no question that the players have the determination that is needed at this level. There are also a number of players in the side capable of turning a match with one stroke of inspiration."
Mark Corrigan, Achill's back-on-form midfield ace, struck the sweetest of goals from 25 yards against U.C.D.
But the referee over-ruled the score because he deemed a Mayo player to be in an offside position.
Rapped Duffy: "It was a decision we could not understand and it rocked us back on our heels."
Mayo conceded a goal shortly afterwards and then Achill Rovers goalkeeper, Cormac Holland, suffered the indignity of picking the ball out of the net after a shot had gone straight through his legs.
Two goals in arrears at half-time, Mayo needed to grab a lifeline early in the second half.
It came when Ballyglass ace Ray Prendergast, operating in a central midfield position, hit a powerful drive which the College goalkeeper failed to hold. Prendergast's midfield partner, Mark Corrigan, was in the right place at the right time to tap the ball into the net from inside the six yards box.
Now Mayo battled hard for an equaliser and it nearly came. Chris Jordan and Corrigan were both denied by the goalkeeper before Paul Jordan was just inches wide from close range. U.C.D put the gloss on their victory when they converted a late penalty.
The Mayo team showed five changes from the one defeated by Galway in the second round of the Oscar Traynor Cup last season, the county's last competitive clash.
Cormac Holland replaced Declan Sweeney in goal, while John Fahy, Tim Moriarty, Ian McLoughlin and Gareth Golding were omitted for different reasons.
Golding is a long term injury victim, while Fahy, Moriarty and McLoughlin were suffering from knocks.
Achill striker Fergal Kilbane is also missing from last season's squad. The Dublin-based star has joined St. Patrick's Athletic.
Duffy selection for Sunday's assignment was along predictable lines with the omission of versatile Ballyglass player, Martin Vahey, the biggest surprise.
But Vahey declared himself unfit for the match because of flu. Three members of the four-man defence were from the Manulla club, namely Tom Healy, Kieran McDonnell and Damian Ansbro, with Claremorris player, Stephen Ring, filling one of the full-back positions.
Urlaur brothers, Paul and Chris Jordan, spearheaded the attack. There is little question that they are a very threatening duo.
Duffy's team won't change all that much over the coming weeks, with only two of three positions up for grabs.
Mayo: C. Holland (Achill Rovers), S. Ring (Claremorris), K. McDonnell (Manulla), T. Healy (Manulla), D. Ansbro (Manulla), M. Corrigan (Achill Rovers), R. Clarke (Manulla), R. Prendergast (Ballyglass), K. Ring (Claremorris), P. Jordan (Urlaur), C. Jordan (Urlaur). Res: V. Gallagher (for K. Ring).
Mayo cup squad named
Mayo manager P.J. Duffy has named a squad of 23 as the countdown begins to the side's second round Oscar Traynor Cup match against Inishowen on December 1st.An interesting feature of the squad is the return of Conn Rangers goalkeeper Declan Sweeney who missed most of the Mayo League season through injury.
Eric Reilly, the top scorer in the game, has been omitted because of injury. The Erris United star is unlikely to be fit before the game against Inishowen.
Ballyglass midfielder Paul Connolly has withdrawn, while his club-mate Martin Vahey, the player being tipped as Mayo
Footballer of the Year' missed the match against University College Dublin due to illness.
Joe Davis, the Conn Rangers attacker, is likely to be added to the squad in the coming days.
The panel is as follows:
Cormac Holland (Achill Rovers), Kieran Gallagher (Achill Rovers), Vincent Gallagher (Achill (Rovers), Mark Corrigan (Achill Rovers); Declan Sweeney (Conn Rangers), Pat McMahon (Conn Rangers); Declan Prendergast (Ballyglass), Ray Prendergast (Ballyglass), Martin Vahey (Ballyglass), Justin Keady (Ballyglass); Tim Moriarty (Urlaur), Paul Jordan (Urlaur), Chris Jordan (Urlaur); Kevin Ring (Claremorris), Stephen Ring (Claremorris); Steve Carolan (Erris); John Fahy (Westport United), Iain McLoughlin (Westport United); Damian Ansbro (Manulla), Tom Healy (Manulla), Roger Clarke (Manulla), Kieran McDonnell (Manulla); and Adrian Moran (Swinford).
Manager: P.J. Duffy (Conn Rangers).
Team Liaison Officer: Tom McDaniels (Castlebar).
Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - November 1996
