Mayo 2-11
Monaghan 1-12
Colm Gannon reports from St Tiernach’s Park, Clones
TWO LATE FREES from Robbie Hennelly was enough to secure Mayo’s first point in this years National Football League.
The first half of this contest was played at breakneck pace and Mayo went in leading by a single point at the short whistle, despite trailing by three just after the 20 minute mark.
Aidan O’Shea’s involvement in the game lasted all of six minutes before he was sent to the sideline for what looked like a harsh black card.
The home side started the better and 11 minutes in Conor McManus found the back of the net when he tapped in the rebound from his penalty that was saved by Robbie Hennelly.
Mayo levelled it up at 1-2 each two minutes later thanks to a Conor Loftus goal. But it was Monaghan who reeled off the next three scores through McManus, Thomas Kerr and Shane Carey.
Mayo stuck with them and a scores from Diarmuid O’Connor, Conor O’Shea and a brace from Evan Regan sent them in leading 1-6 to 1-5 at the turn around.
Five minutes into the second half Mayo had stretched that lead to five points when Diarmuid O’Connor toe poked the ball to the net after it broke kindly for him from a sideline ball, after Jason Doherty had opened the scoring in the half four minutes earlier.
Lee Keegan was shown Mayo’s second black card 20 minutes from time and Monaghan cut the gap back to three points from the resulting McManus free. Monaghan kept plugging away and punishing Mayo indiscipline with McManus tapping over frees.
With seven minutes to go Rory Beggan slotted over a 45 to cut the gap back to one and a minute later McManus levelled it up from a close range free. Three minutes from time Robbie Hennelly drove over a point from well beyond the 45 meter line to put Mayo into the lead once more.
Drew Wylie had a chance to level it up in injury time, but the full back with the wrong man in the right place as his effort drifted wide and from the resulting Mayo attack Hennelly stroked over his second of the day to put his team two clear with time almost up and give Stephen Rochford his first league win as Mayo manager.
Scorers for Mayo: Diarmuid O’Connor (1-1), Conor Loftus (1-0), Evan Regan (0-3, 2f), Conor O’Shea (0-2), Kevin McLoughlin (0-2), Robbie Hennelly (0-2, 2f), Jason Doherty (0-1)
Scorers for Monaghan: Conor McManus (1-8, 8f), Thomas Kerr (0-1), Shane Casey (0-1), Fintan Kelly (0-1), Rory Beggan (0-1, 145)
Monaghan
1. Rory Beggan (Scotstown)
2. Colin Walshe (Doohamlet)
3. Drew Wylie (Ballybay)
4. Ryan Wylie (Ballybay)
5. Kieran Duffy (Latton)
6. Fintan Kelly (Clones)
7. Karl O’Connell (Tyholland)
8. Niall McAdam (Monaghan Harps)
9. Darren Hughes (Scotstown)
10. Shane Carey (Scotstown)
11. Dermot Malone (Castleblayney)
12. Thomas Kerr (Ballybay)
13. Owen Duffy (Latton)
14. Daniel McKenna (Truagh)
15. Conor McManus (Clontibret)
Subs:
Ryan McAnespie for Owen Duffy (HT)
Barry McGinn for Dermot Malone (45)
Conor Boyle for Kieran Duffy (46)
Conor McCarthy for Daniel McKenna (58)
Mayo
1. Roberty Hennelly (Breaffy)
2. Brendan Harrision (Aghamore)
3. Ger Cafferkey (Ballina Stephenites)
17. Michael Hall (Breaffy)
5. Lee Keegan (Westport)
6. Colm Boyle (Davitts)
7. Shane Nally (Garrymore)
8. Tom Parsons (Charlestown)
22. Seamus O’Shea (Breaffy)
10. Diarmuid O’Connor (Ballintubber)
11. Aidan O’Shea (Breaffy)
12. Kevin McLoughlin (Knockmore)
13. Evan Regan (Ballina Stephenites)
24. Conor Loftus (Crossmolina)
15. Conor O’Shea (Breaffy)
Subs:
Jason Doherty for Aidan O’Shea (BC, 6)
Mikie Sweeney for Conor Loftus (45)
Donal Vaughan for Lee Keegan (BC, 51)
Chris Barrett for Shane Nally (56)
Jason GIbbons for Conor O’Shea (65)
Andy Moran for Evan Regan (66)
Referee: Joe McQullan (Cavan)
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I’m so exited bout this game I really feel if we win it we can do back to back championships. especially now that ferris is back for ulster great to c him back! with him an seanie o brien back in this squad for next season we are a serious outfit! targeting a World Cup final I dare to dream…
I think it would actually benefit Ireland if England beat Italy by 10/20 points because then France absolutely HAVE to throw the kitchen sink at Ireland and go all out which would hopefully mean they make more mistakes etc etc WISHFUL THINKING I KNOW BUT I WANT TO WIN
You just can’t help but get sucked in by his inner belief in his and his teams own ability, on a GAA comparison Jim Gavin is identical in his mindset and approach.
If the result goes against us on Saturday it will be on fine margins based on the belief he seems to have instilled in this group of players.
Davy Fitz is a much better comparison!
Yeah, but he is a hot head and also equally impressive.
Gavin and Schmidt both manage to keep a lid on their emotions though.
Don’t mind what Davy is like on the line, it’s in the lead-up to a match and beforehand that games are won and lost – that’s where Davy comes into his own. The sideline stuff is Davy doing a ‘Mourinho’ on it.
So he is no different then the other two so………..?
The French know that the championship is all but beyond them at this stage, I fully expect them to come out and play well on Saturday, they may not have a trophy to go for but don’t discount the desire for better table position to spur them on, second place sounds much better than fourth which is where they will end up if Wales beat Scotland well, England beat Italy and we beat France.
Trying to keep a lid on the optimism is difficult because this team is good enough to win there, we all know it. France have so many good players and we all also know they can throw together a great performance. Anyway good luck to all I just know every pub and club will have the telly on come Sat. Woop
Title of this thread captures the sentiment though a tad inaccurately.
Should read Leinster instead of Ireland.
Rest is accurate. This is Schmidt’s team and an insult to the concept of Ireland.
What happened to his promises of 27-30 new starts and rotation?
The most egotistical selection in the history of Irish International rugby and sure as Hell makes little of IRFU’s “Stay Home” stance.
Sign for Leinster, more likely.
As a Leinster fan, I do agree with you to an extent, although I think you’re being a little ott.
Zebo, Marmion, and Henshaw should have seen game time this 6N, and Marshall and Jackson should have been used more. After being beaten by England was more than a victory for them but a victory for youth and having the confidence to play guys who have been the best in their league/cup, regardless of their age.
However, if Schmidt wins the 6N and integrates new players this summer, you can hardly argue too much with him.