In Tourlestrane.
The Mayo U-21 Hurler's got their Connacht U-21 B Championship campaign off to a winning start, with this comfortable eight point victory over neighbours Sligo in sunny Tourlestrane on Sunday evening last. Going into the game without the services of ace attacker Keith Higgins, who damaged his ankle 24 hours earlier playing football with Ballyhaunis, Mayo knew they wouldn't have it easy against Sligo, and it wasn't until the final quarter of the game until Mayo gained control.

Mayo's early pressure in the opening exchanges saw them race into a four point lead, a goal from Jason Swords and a point from Ballina's Daniel Kirby doing the damage. Sligo, playing with the aid of the gentle breeze, began to find their rhythm and three pointed free's in succession, two from Keith Raymond and one from Michael Gilmartin, punished some indiscipline in the Mayo defence. Tooreen sharpshooter Adrian Freeman opened his account with a point from play in the 14th minute, but Sligo's Keith Raymond kept his side in the game with two more long range free's to bring his side back level. Niall Cadden for Sligo was then on hand to finish to the Mayo net from close range to put his side three up with just four minutes of the half remaining. Mayo's reply was instant however, and late points from Adrian Freeman and Austin Lyons put the minimum between the teams at the interval.

Mayo's intent in the second half was evident from the off with 1-4 being recorded without reply between the 30th and 40th minutes. Points from Adrian Freeman (2), Liam Lyons and Seami Barrett were supplemented by an individual goal in the 36th minute from the aforementioned Barrett. The Belmullet man raced through from the 65-metre line before unleashing a rocket from twenty metres out, giving Niall Caheny in the Sligo goal no chance. Keith Raymond again for Sligo and Freeman for Mayo exchanged points before Mayo's centre back Shane Morley got in on the scoring as his long range effort deceived Caheny in the Sligo goal before finding its way to the net. Michael Gilmartin, who tried hard throughout for Sligo, got a late consolation point from a free for Sligo but all was in vain. Mayo had the last say however in injury time as Daniel Kirby rounded off a fine display by scoring Mayo's final point of the day to give Mayo a deserved eight point victory.

Mayo now progress to the Connaught U-21 B final on Bank Holiday Monday next against Roscommon, knowing that a much-improved performance will be needed if they are to make it a four in a row of Connaught U-21 Hurling crowns.

Mayo: Stephen Leneghan (Tooreen); John Paul Healy (Castlebar), Stephen Coyne (Tooreen), Kieran Horan (Castlebar); Sean Kelly (Castlebar), Shane Morley (1-0) (Tooreen), Paul Lynch (Ballyhaunis); Austin Lyons (0-1) (Ballyhaunis), Seami Barrett (1-1) (Belmullet); Vinnie Flannery (Castlebar), Daniel Kirby (0-2) (Ballina), Jason Swords (1-0) (Eastern Gaels); Alan Cawley (Ballina), Liam Lyons (0-1) (Ballyhaunis), Adrian Freeman (0-5,3f) (Tooreen). Subs: Gary Nolan (Tooreen) for Cawley.

Sligo: N. Caheny; J. Porter, D. Hickey, C. Hackett; R. Cox, K. Raymond (0-6,5f), D. Sheridan; S. Kearns, L. Reidy; S. Leonard, F. Cretaro, E. Scanlon; F. Brett, M. Gilmartin (0-2,2f), N. Cadden (1-0).