Mayo exit Connacht U-20 championship at the hands of Sligo

Connacht GAA U-20 Championship

Mayo 0-9 Sligo 0-14

In MacHale Park

MAYO have been knocked out of the Connacht GAA U-20 Football Championship by Sligo for the third year in a row.

A lackluster second half was the rock on which Peadar Gardiner’s men perished as the Yeats men marched on to a provincial semi-final against Galway.

This latest setback for the Mayo U-20s came despite a positive first half display on home soil.

Mayo kicked a nice variety of scores, with Tom O’Flaherty, Oisín Cronin and Hurley among their top performers.

The hosts came close to goal on two occasions, but stuck the woodwork each time.

Sligo, though not very prolific on the scoreboard, also threatened in front of goal.

Ronan Niland and Connor Flynn both had to be denied by a great save from Mayo’s David Dolan, who was instrumental in seeing that Mayo went in 0-7 0-3 ahead at half-time.

However, Mayo’s performance significantly regressed in a half where they only scored one point.

Sligo’s midfield got the better of their hosts as Mayo’s attack completely blunted.

Over the course of 35 minutes, Sligo added 0-11 to their tally, levelling the game through the impressive Luke Marren in the 42nd minute and leading from then on.

The home side lost all semblance of cohesion as Sligo’s victory appeared all but secure from the last ten minutes onward.

Sligo will now face Galway in the semi-final of the Connacht GAA U-20 Championship while Roscommon are through to the final after topping the group following their win over Leitrim.

There will be a full report plus reaction in Tuesday’s Mayo News.