Church and General National Football League
Division Two
GAA News 19 February 1997
Mayo win restores confidence and renews hope
Mayo 0-12------------------------------------Leitrim 0-5
By John Melvin
This was a bit more like it from the Connaught champions. And
just what was needed to banish the Ennis blues. Confidence has been restored
and hope has been renewed.
Having managed to do what no Mayo team had done since 1948- fail to score in the first half of a match- two weeks ago against Clare, Mayo bounced back at Ballina, on Sunday, to rescue the two points which should sustain them for another season in division two.
On a dirty, cold, wet and windy afternoon, around 5,000 hardy souls braved the elements, and for those who resisted the temptation to seek more convivial surroundings at the break, there was some reward, with an enterprising performance from Mayo in the second half.
The defeat, however, leaves Leitrim with a relegation headache as they face Clare in the final game in two weeks time, while Mayo must take two points from their clash with Armagh, at Charlestown.
Monaghan and Leitrim seem likely to make the drop. It's looking good for Mayo, but Leitrim do have their problems, underlined by an apparent second half collapse in many sectors after a gutsy first half performance.
Mayo manager John Maughan, while giving due credit to his team for lifting their performance, will, no doubt, temper the compliments with some cautionary words about the quality of the opposition.
But, it has to be said, Maughan could take a lot of positive signs from the game, and no where could these be found more abundantly, than in the defence, which kept the leitrim attack scoreless from play.
And the belief that old wine won't turn into vinegar if the vintage is good enough, but actually improves, was proven once again by the guile and experienced head of 34 year-old Dermot Flanagan, who played powerfully and intelligently in the corner. He was the corner stone of their division three success, could he about perform a similar salvage act for his team in division two?
Kevin Cahill, always willing to answer the call when needed, and he was needed in the absence of the injured Pat Holmes, did not disappoint, while Brian Heffernan from Ballina, who had to step into the shoes of James Nallen, who was switched to midfield for flu-victim Pat Fallon, is surely one of the future prospects with another solid game in a defence where Kenneth Mortimer, Fergal Costello and Noel Connelly all performed well.
Goalkeeper John Madden, has had his fair share of critics for some of his handling and clearances. This was his best game in a long time. His kick-outs were lengthy and well directed, while his handling, particularly under the high ball, never looked as secure.
However, it was at midfield that the engine room of Colm McMenamon and James Nallen, really fired the Mayo team. Both were willing and able ball carriers and continued the excellent work the defence did at moving the ball. While McMenamon is inclined to veer off course. Leitrim couldn't handle his mobility and strength, while he also threw in a very good point from play.
Nallen never took a break, traversing the pitch, working ceaselessly and always carrying the fight.
It is no exaggerating to say Mayo controlled the ball and the game for much of the second half. The improvement needed up front was also there, and although there is still much work to be done, there were some nice patterns woven together, particularly in the full forward line where David Nestor, John Casey and P.J. Loftus won a lot of ball, although it may not always have been used judiciously against a very strong Leitrim fullback line.
In fact, the three, along with James Horan were involved in the move which forced a great save from the Leitrim keeper from P.J. Loftus, who looked hungry and determined, before picking up a nasty back injury, which made room for the impressive Paul Cunny.
The contribution of the half forward line was not as significant. Ronan Golding, who had flu during the week, was obviously not near his form and had to be replaced by Liam McHale, who did quite well.
Scrappy
But you would be worried about Mayo having watched them lead by 0-6 to 0-2 after a very scrappy first half, which wasn't helped by a lot of stoppages with refere M. McGrath taking three Leitrim autographs and two Mayo. He was to take more from both sides in the second half as a bit of needle crept into the game and Leitirm furstrations began to boil over.Two of those Mayo points in the first half came from half-backs Noel Connelly and Brian Heffernan, Connelly scoring a great point from the hands from over fifty yards, and Heffernan coming in to finish a good move with deadly accuracy from forty yards.
Aiden Rooney opened the scoring for Leitrim after three minutes with a pointed free from the hands, but Leitrim didn't score again until Darcy found the target from a free in the 28th minute.
Sheridan (free), Casey from play, Loftus with a typical burst of speed and a shot that could have just as easily gone under the bar as over the bar, and Horan from play were the other Mayo point scorers.
Although Rooney had an early Leitrim point from a free from the hands two minutes into the second half, it was Mayo who gradually assumed control.
A busier looking Sheridan from play and from a free pushed the Connacht champions 0-8 to 0-3, clear and although Declan Darcy, operating at midfield, produced an excellent free from over fifty yards to cut the deficit, it was McMenamon, Sheridan (free) and Golding who had Mayo seven points clear entering the final quarter.
Noel Moran pulled back another point for Leitrim, their only point from play, but such was Mayo's grip on matters all over the pitch, that there was never any danger of Leitrim posing a threat despite the best efforts of Joe Honeyman, Seamus Quinn, Noel Moran, Killian McLoughlin, Brendan Guckian, Declan Darcy and Aidan Rooney.
David Nestor was rewarded for endeavour with the last point which signalled not only an important win, but an indication that confidence is sufficently restored to look forward to security in divison two, and, more importantly, a summer of hope.
Mayo: J. Madden, K. Mortimer, K. Cahill, D. Flanagan, F. Costello, B. Heffernan (0-1); N. Connelly( 0-1); C. McMenamon (0-1); J. Nallen, M. Sheridan (0-4); J. Horan (0-1); R. Golding (0-1); D. Nestor (0-1); J. Casey (0-1); P.J. Loftus (0-1). Subs: P. Cunny for Loftus (inj); L. McHale for Golding.
Leitrim: M. McHugh, J. Honeyman, S. Quinn, F. Reynolds, N. Moran (0-1); K. McLoughlin, C. McGovern, B. Guckian, D. Darcy (0-2); J. Ward, G. Dugdale, A. Rooney (0-2); P. Kenny, A. Cullen, F. McBrien. Sub: F. Reynolds for Ward.
Ref: M. McGrath (Donegal).
Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - February 1997
