Gaelic Games

Mayo coast to emphatic victory over New York

New-look home side prove no match for Kevin McStay’s men

Matthew Ruane in action for Mayo against New York during the Connacht SFC quarter-final at Gaelic Park, New York. Photograph: Emily Harney/Inpho
Matthew Ruane in action for Mayo against New York during the Connacht SFC quarter-final at Gaelic Park, New York. Photograph: Emily Harney/Inpho
Sun Apr 07 2024 - 22:34
Connacht SFC: New York 2-6 Mayo 2-21

Mike Finnerty

Mayo took care of business impressively as they powered to a comfortable and comprehensive victory over New York at a sun-drenched Gaelic Park in this one-sided Connacht senior championship quarter-final.

A new-look New York side were unable to match their heroics against Leitrim a year earlier and, despite their best efforts, they were second best from start to finish against Kevin McStay’s seasoned charges.

Ryan O’Donoghue produced a man of the match performance, shooting 1-13 (including 1-4 from play) while Aidan O’Shea marked his 85th championship appearance (a new Mayo record) with an impressive display.

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New York manager Alan O’Mara was only able to call on three of the players who started last year’s memorable penalty shoot-out victory due to a combination of retirements, work commitments, relocations and injuries.

In fact, the Exiles were down a total of 17 players from last year’s squad. But despite trailing at half-time by 12 points (1-11 to 0-2), New York’s heads never dropped and two superb second-half goals from Frank O’Reilly and Jamie Boyle were no more than they deserved.

Cillian O’Connor came off the bench to score a penalty in the 51st minute for the 32nd championship goal of his career.

Mayo’s focus will now turn to their Connacht semi-final away to Roscommon in two weeks’ time while New York will try to regroup in advance of the Tailteann Cup.

Mayo: C Reape; J Coyne, R Brickenden, S Callinan; P Durcan (0-1), S Coen, E McLaughlin; D McBrien, M Ruane; B Tuohy, F Boland (0-1), J Carney (0-2); A O’Shea (0-1, 1f), T Conroy, R O’Donoghue (1-13, 9fs). Subs used: C O’Connor (1-1, 1-0pen) for Tuohy; D McHale (0-1) for McBrien; P Towey (0-1) for Conroy; E Hession for Coen; M Plunkett for McLaughlin; C Hunt for Durcan.

New York: J Grace; S Bolger, J Boyle (1-0), T O’Riordan; S Brosnan, C O’Dea, R Wharton (0-1); J Walsh, E O Conghaile; T Mathers, F O’Reilly (1-2, 1 mark), P Lillis; S Reilly, M Argue, K Butler (0-2). Subs used: L Kearney for Reilly; J Ajani for S Brosnan; I Ilunga for Bolger (inj); A Loughlin Stones for Mathers; M Brosnan (0-1) for Argue.

Referee: M McNally (Monaghan)