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The
Mayo Minor Hurlers were denied this All-Ireland Minor C Hurling
title by a much more slicker and physically stronger Armagh side
in this final played in Garrison, Co Fermanagh on Saturday last.
Two goals in the opening four minutes from Armagh saw them play
the entire match with a cushion which ultimately was too much for
the Mayo lads to claw back.
From Armagh's opening attack they rocked the Mayo rearguard with
corner forward John Corvan racing through to finish to the Mayo
net. Three minutes later, before Mayo had even settled into the
game, Corvan again set off on a run before offloading a handpass
to full-forward Paddy McBride who duly obliged with Armagh's second
goal to leave Mayo rocked. However, a few positional changes in
the Mayo defence steadied Mayo's ship and soon after a brace of
Mayo points from Colm Monahan and Fergal Lyons settled the lads
in the Green and Red. Ryan Nugent for Armagh and Jason Swords for
Mayo then exchanged points from play. As the half wore on the exchanges
became more even with Cathal Freeman and Fergal Lyons again recording
points for Mayo. Armagh finished the opening half stronger however
and a brace of points from Paddy McBride and Chris McAlinden left
the halftime score 2-4 to 0-5 in favour of the Ulster side.
The second half saw Mayo chase the game from the outset and two
free's from Colm Monahan drew Mayo back to within three point's
of Armagh. This would be as close as Mayo would come to the Orchard
lads as Armagh points in succession from Enda Gormley, Kevin Hegarty
and McBride again retained Armagh's six point advantage. As the
half drew to a close, the Mayo attack turned their attention to
getting goals, goals which never came due to the exploits of Armagh's
reliable custodian Kieran Mulholland.
In the end, Mayo gave their all but had come up short by eight points.
They will woe the early succession of two goals and will think what
might have been had they not been forced to chase the game from
an early stage. Mayo goalkeeper Joe Kelly along with defender's
Keith Staunton, Cathal Freeman and Brian Higgins all played their
hearts out for Mayo's cause, especially Staunton who was moved to
the full-back position at an early stage to quell the Armagh attack.
Also, Minor football corner-back Padraig Healy made a massive contribution
when introduced at corner-back. At midfield, the exchanges were
tough and physical, but Mayo's Eoin Madigan and Austin Lyons held
their own for large periods of the game. Up front Mayo's main threat
came from Colm Monahan and Fergal Lyons, while Jason Swords and
Enda Kenny battled hard throughout.
After the game Pat Doherty - PRO of the Ulster Council, presented
the cup to Chris McAlinden, captain of the successful Armagh side.
Mayo: Joe Kelly (Ballyhaunis); Pat McDonagh (Westport), Brian Higgins
(Westport), Michael Healy (Tooreen); James Diskin (Castlebar), Keith
Staunton (Castlebar), Cathal Freeman (Tooreen); Eoin Madigan (Westport),
Austin Lyons (Ballyhaunis); Sean Gavin (Castlebar), Enda Kenny (Tooreen),
Jason Swords (Eastern Gaels); Gary Hayes (Castlebar), Colm Monahan
(Ballyheane), Fergal Lyons (Ballyhaunis). Subs: Padraig Healy, Gary
Nolan, Ronan O'Boyle, Brendan Jordan & Ciaran Barrett.
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