Mayo 2-17
Meath 0-14
AND SO, MAYO live to fight another day.
In typical fashion, James Horan’s men did it the hard way in what was effectively a knock-out Super 8s game against Meath at Croke Park.
All was well and truly in the melting pot, but Kevin McLoughlin’s 61st-minute goal ultimately sent the Westerners on their way. Another late one from Cillian O’Connor — his penalty was saved by substitute keeper Mark Brennan but the Ballintubber star slotted the rebound — put the icing on the cake of a 2-17 to 0-14 win.
That said, the scoreline was an unfair reflection of the game as a whole. Meath held their own throughout, but Mayo won it with experience, and in typical Mayo fashion down the home straight. It was far from the most memorable or high-quality of clashes, but the ending was definitely an exciting one.
After both sides tasted defeat last weekend, both needed a win to keep their hopes of an All-Ireland semi-final spot alive — and Mayo’s focus now turns straight to a final day showdown against Donegal in two weeks’ time.
James Horan made three late changes to his Westerner side; Chris Barrett, Kevin McLoughlin and Fergal Boland all starting in place of Eoin O’Donoghue, Keith Higgins and Ciaran Treacy.
It wasn’t the most exciting of starts at HQ, but truth be told, the Royals looked more lively early on. It took seven minutes for the first score of the game to be kicked, Michael Newman clipping over a free before Bryan Menton added another from play.
Darren Coen hit Mayo’s first with the clock just short of nine minutes, before James McEntee pulled one back at the other end.
It wasn’t until the 12th minute that the Green and Red truly announced themselves on the scene, courtesy of two fine Fionn McDonagh points in quick succession.
Andy McEntee’s men were quick to stop any momentum building, however, as the in-form Donal Keogan burst through on goal, only for his shot to be stopped by David Clarke. Newman was there to fire the rebound over, but Kevin McLoughlin bit back at the Hill end.
From there, the cracks in the Mayo defence started to come to the fore. Meath really should have done better before the posts, with Ethan Devine’s brilliant effort their only score between 17 and 35 minutes.
In that time, Fergal Boland, Jason Doherty and Cillian O’Connor (free) got their names on the scoresheet, making it 0-7 to 0-5.
As half time approached, Mayo looked to be finding their form, but late points from Cillian O’Sullivan and Seamus Lavin drew Meath back level for the fourth time by the break.
There was bad news for the Royals, however, as they lost Newman to injury — but that didn’t phase them on the restart. His replacement, 19-year-old Shane Walsh made no mistake with a free to take the lead.
Boland responded, and Andy Moran’s introduction from the bench lifted the Mayo forward line, but scores from James Conlon and Walsh (free) soon had Meath into a two-point lead.
In a low-quality second half with some shocking wides at both ends, O’Connor and Walsh exchanged frees, before the former tagged on two more scores — one of those from play — to bring Mayo level with just under 20 minutes to go.
Lavin, again, and Moran traded points and with the home straight approaching, there were stark differences at both ends. Walsh missed back-to-back frees in front of the Hill, while Colm Boyle stepped up with an inspirational score to put Mayo one up.
Another leader, Lee Keegan, put his hand up with 61 minutes on the clock, while James Carr followed suit with another important point.
And then came the decisive blow. Kevin McLoughlin sent the Green and Red fans wild with a crucial goal; the 1-4 they scored without reply ultimately settling the game.
O’Connor and Walsh (two) again exchanged frees as the clock ran down, and to Meath’s credit, they didn’t give up.
But it was O’Connor who grabbed a second goal after Andrew Colgan was black carded for a third-man tackle and Mayo awarded a penalty.
And Jason Doherty topped off the nine-point win with a fine score.
Scorers for Meath: Shane Walsh (0-5, 5f), Michael Newman (0-2, 1f), Seamus Lavin (0-2), Brian Menton, James McEntee, Ethan Devane, Cillian O’Sullivan, Seamus Lavin and James Conlon (0-1 each).
Scorers for Mayo: Cillian O’Connor (1-5, 4f), Kevin McLoughlin (1-1), Fionn McDonagh, Jason Doherty and Fergal Boland (0-2 each), Darren Coen, Andy Moran, Colm Boyle, Lee Keegan and James Carr (0-1 each).
Meath
1. Andrew Colgan (Donaghmore Ashbourne)
2. Séamus Lavin (St Peter’s Dunboyne)
3. Conor McGill (Ratoath)
4. Shane Gallagher (Simonstown Gaels)
5. Donal Keogan (Rathkenny)
6. Padraic Harnan (Moynalvey — joint-captain)
7. Gavin McCoy (St Peter’s Dunboyne)
8. Bryan Menton (Donaghmore Ashbourne – joint-captain)
9. Shane McEntee (St Peter’s Dunboyne)
10. Ethan Devine (Na Fianna)
11. Bryan McMahon (Ratoath)
12. Thomas McGovern (Donaghmore Ashbourne)
13. Cillian O’Sullivan (Moynalvey)
14. Mickey Newman (Kilmainham)
15. James Conlon (St Colmcille’s)
Subs
23. Shane Walsh for Michael Newman (37)
20. Barry Dardis for Gavin McCoy (49)
18. Sean Tobin for Ethan Devine (52)
26. Thomas McGovern for Seamus Lavin (64)
17. Thomas O’Reilly for Bryan McMahon (65)
16. Marcus Brennan for Andrew Colgan (black card) (74)
Mayo
1. David Clarke (Ballina Stephenites)
2. Stephen Coen (Hollymount-Carramore)
3. Brendan Harrison (Aghamore)
19. Chris Barrett (Belmullet)
5. Lee Keegan (Westport)
6. Colm Boyle (Davitts)
22. Kevin McLoughlin (Knockmore)
8. Donal Vaughan (Castlebar Mitchels)
9. Seamus O’Shea (Breaffy)
10. Fionn McDonagh (Westport)
11. Aidan O’Shea (Breaffy)
26. Fergal Boland (Aghamore)
13. Cillian O’Connor (Ballintubber)
14. Darren Coen (Hollymount-Carramore)
15. Jason Doherty (Burrishoole)
Subs
24. Andy Moran for Darren Coen (HT)
25. James Carr for Fergal Boland (48)
4. Eoin O’Donoghue for Stephen Coen (55)
20. James McCormack for Seamus O’Shea (63)
17. Michael Plunkett for Lee Keegan (74)
12. Ciaran Treacy for Kevin McLoughlin (74)
Referee: Ciarán Brannigan (Down).
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Probably a smart decision to move Larmour into 14 and let him build a bit of confidence after his last few poor outings at fullback. It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out from an Irish rugby point of view over this season and whether Leinster will keep him on the wing or move him into fullback. You’d have to say at the moment between him and Keenan that Hugo looks more like the international. I’d like to see him involved in the upcoming Irish camps in some capacity.
Would you like some sauce to go with that chip on your shoulder?
@Rudiger McMonihan: larmour is the new target from the munster fans. They always need one.
@Rudiger McMonihan: you’d need a put a bucket on his shoulder for the amount of sauce he’d need !!
@Chris Mc: his own team hasn’t won a trophy in a decade and he’s on here pontificating about poor full back play.
@Jim Demps: cmon now, already spoiling the comments section, Larmour is the future.
@Jim Demps: Ah now Jim. You should know better than to criticise any of the Leinster lads. Everyone knows they are by far the best team in the world.
@Decko49: its pi$$ed me off seeing stockdales defence criticised when he had to tackle the most agile winger in the world with a 4 on 1 overlap. It’s not just about leinster. I hate all this begrudgery going on. We’ll never move past our conservative dull tactics if every mistake causes the trolls to come out and attack players. Journalists and pundits are just as bad at it. They know they have to say something and they know a lot of fans love to hear them moan, so they take the easy route and pile on players who are actually playing well overall but may have made one or two mistakes. In Larmours case the only questionable performance was the 1st game which was after 5 months off and most of his missed catches were due to his team mates blocking him from actually getting to it.
@Rudiger McMonihan: My comment was tongue in cheek to be honest. Sorry about that. I don’t entirely agree with your view. I do think he’s a great player but I agree with jim he’s low in confidence.
Fullback is a thankless job usually a missed tackle from a fullback is the result of someone else’s missed tackle leading to a 2 on 1. Sure, it looks bad in the fullback wjen it happens but realistically it’s not entirely their fault. High ball can be worked on as well
@Chris Mc: you are no one to talk, all over munster articles yesterday giving out about a selection that hasn’t even happened
@Dave O Keeffe: but Dave I don’t think any one munster player is over rated, I think about 10 of them are.
Very smart selection. Switching keenan and larmour firstly was an obvious one.
Putting Frawley into midfield should bring a bit of creativity.
Gibson-Park, the best 9 leinstet have being selected to start.
Then Ruddock coming into a pack that lacked power.
Good management it has to be said.
That’s a really good side. Love frawley and sexton at 10/12. These 2 with any sort of decent ball from the pack will create all sorts of opportunities for Ringrose, Lowe larmour and keenan.
The sooner Irish rugby realises Conway is the best available full back we have the better for all concerned! Keep Lamour away from 15
@Kieran Dorgan: Conway doesn’t and hasn’t played fullback for munster. There’s a massive step up from playing in the pro 14 to international rugby then add a different position? If munster realise that 15 is his best position and play him there maybe he could step up.
@Chris Mc: I agree with you 100%. At the end of the day what do we know other than Rob Kearneys replacement hasn’t been found!
@Chris Mc: Its too late to say it now, but when zebo left comway should have been moved to fullback straight away.
There was no need to bring in haley, who at best is a solid player.
@Kieran Dorgan: you will be disappointed I feel. Larmour is fantastic.
@Kieran Dorgan: this is a Leinster 15, not a Irish or Munster 15. Leo picks his squad in a leinster mindset, rotation, blooding new players and mix/match guys. Your point is??
The Irish 15 jersey is wide open now. Daly Conway Keenan Larmour Lowry?
@Jamie Bent: Stockdale, will get it.
@Gareth Ward: Ye Stockdale is massively out of form and that seems to be what Farrell goes for.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: Haha well there’s no in form 15 lad. So with a good number of wingers moving one who can play 15 to fullback makes sense. So i would edge stockdale in ahead of larmour. Larmour who is no better or worse form than stockdale
That is some squad. It will be good to have another look at Frawley playing 12. Great to see Ruddock back. That bench has incredible ball carrying capability. Looking forward to this.
Some selection. The Dragons will be on the sore end of a beating I think. Leinster by 15+.
I think it’s the right decision to move Larmour to the wing for now until he gains more confidence under the high ball. Future should still definitely be at full back though in my opinion
Larmour hasn’t been good at full recently, think he will be super on the wing,speed and sidestep, looking forward to seeing him.
I wonder how Harry Byrne would go at fullback. Looks to have all the attributes to do a great job there.