Intermediate Football Final

 

St. Columbkilles 1-9 - Mayo 1-15

 

Mayo were always that little bit ahead of their opponents on Saturday evening.  Having established an early lead Mayo kept a safe distance between themselves and St. Columbkilles, with the exception of the last 15 minutes of the first half where St. Columbkilles mounted a comeback and played their best football of the game.  Mayo however, were on top for 45 of the 60 minutes, and in the end were deserving winners of an entertaining game.

 

The first 20 minutes of the game was all Mayo.  Their half forward line in particular were in devastating form.  Points flew over the bar from all angles.  Darragh Mcloughlin, Liam O’Hare, and Paul Wilson all scored some wonderful points that lifted their side, and surely had a demoralizing effect on their opponents.  Mayo’s midfielders held the edge, and the westerners seemed to be first to the breaking ball.  While St. Columbkilles floundered in search of an answer, Mayo cut out any ball directed into the St. Columbkilles forwards and their upper hand in possession paid off on the scoreboard.  When Mark Smith goaled in the 18^th minute it looked like curtains for St. Cols as they trailed by seven points.  The Brighton men got themselves back into the game in the latter stages of the first half.  Ryan Bradley and Mick Lyons began to win some possession and life came into the men in black and white.  Gearoid Fitzgerald was introduced to the fray and made an impact for the Killes.  A Eugene Greaney goal got the Killes men into the game and the Mayo lead was cut short by points from Rory McTiernan, Jonathan Daniels, and Paul Cronin.  At the half Mayo’s lead was cut to 2 points from what ten minutes earlier was 8.  St. Columbkilles had looked dead and buried with great guts had brought themselves right back into the game.

 

St. Cols were hoping to get the better start to begin the second half from where they left off in the first, but it was Mayo who re-established their lead.  Four points on the trot made the difference six points, and in spite of their best efforts St. Cols could not eat into it.  The Mayo half back line was tight and very little got through to the St. Columbkilles corner forwards.  Changes were made by St. Cols to try and turn things around, but to no avail.  Colm Morris was brought on and Colin Murphy switched places with Paddy McKenna in search of a much needed goal.  Liam O’Hare at center forward put in an exellent performance for the Mayomen, and whenever St. Cols managed a point Mayo were able to answer with another.  Mayo ended up deserving winners of a game, and went one better than last year.  Best of luck to them in the finals in Philly next weekend.

 

St. Cols:  Colin Murphy (Gaillimh), Brendan Foley (Loch Garman), Darragh Keane (Ath Cliath), John Cunningham (Tir Chonaill), Niall Clarke (Ath Cliath), Rory McTiernan (Gaillimh), Ryan Bradley (Tir Chonaill), Mick Lyons (Ath Cliath), Paul Cronin (Cill Mhantain), Paddy McKenna (Tir Eoghain), Pat Patten (Maigheo), Jonathan Daniels (Cill Mhantain), Eugene Greaney (Gaillimh).  Subs:  Gearoid Fitzgerald (Luimnigh), Colm Morris (Ros Caman).

 

Mayo:  D. O’Malley, M. Murphy, B. Cassidy, K. Coyne, R. Murray, K. McDonagh, P. Hart, T. Lee, P. Wilson, L. O’Hare, K. Walsh, D. McLoughlin, M. Smith.