The Mayo U-16 Hurlers impressively shrugged off the challenge of Longford in this All-Ireland U-16 C Champioship tie held at Ballyhaunis on Saturday evening last. The difference in standard between these two sides was evident in every sector of the field, and one wonders why such mismatches cannot be
avoided by GAA administrators in this day and age. Neither side benifited from the sixty minutes of hurling, as the scores mounted up for Mayo from all angles of play.

Early first half goals from Mayo's Declan Gallagher and Stephen Hoban along with three quick-fire points from John Crinnegan set out Mayo's intentions.
The constant supply of fast ball from the dominant Mayo midfield pairing of Eoin Madigan and Cathal Freeman led to further opening half goals from Crinnegan and Gallagher again to put the contest beyond doubt half way
through the opening half. Tooreen corner forward Joe Ganley then got in on the goal-scoring act late in the opening half as he finished to the Longford net twice in the space of a minute to leave Mayo 6-10 to 0-2 in front at the interval. Both Longford's points came from Michael Cunningham from frees.

The second half saw Mayo continue to pile on the misery for Longford as Westport hurler Declan Gallagher completed his hat-trick in the 34th minute after some good approach play from substitute Conor Douglas. Gallagher, who finished the game with a personal tally of 3-5, all from play, was a tower
of strength for Mayo on the edge of the square. As a mark of Mayo's strength and depth at this grade, late substitutes Kenny Feeney and Eoin Murtagh both recorded goals late on to compound Longford's misery.

Mayo: Andrew Butler (Castlebar); Conor English (Tooreen), Pat Fitzgerald (Castlebar), David Barrett (Ballina); AP Barrett (Belmullet), Thaigh Morley (0-1)(Ballyhaunis), Greg Henry (Tooreen); Cathal Freeman (0-1)(Tooreen),
Eoin Madigan (0-1)(Westport); Alan Stenson (0-1)(Ballina), Daniel Jordan (Tooreen), Stephen Hoban (1-0)(Ballyhaunis); John Crinnegan (1-3)(Tooreen), Declan Gallagher (3-5)(Westport), Joey Ganley (2-1)(Tooreen). Subs: Colin Staunton (Westport), Conor Douglas (Castlebar), Kenny Feeney (1-2), Barry
Walsh, Eoin Murtagh (1-0).