Three Mayo players who caught our eye against Derry

Aidan O’Shea

His record in All-Ireland finals will always be held against him, but rarely goes missing in big games like this one.

Playing a free role, the Breaffy behemoth was up and down the field all evening, leaving no stone unturned or no blade of grass untrampled.

He was at his bulldozing best when he held off his man to level the game early in the second half. It was his only score of the game, but it elicited a roar from the home crowd that was only exceeded by the one that greeted the big man’s departure in the 73rd minute.

O’Shea gave it everything. It has ever been thus, and ever shall be.

Tommy Conroy

Given the nature of the game, the roadrunner from The Neale was never going to play the game the way he likes.

Despite that, he got on loads of ball and was particularly influential in the second half of normal time.

His two points - one from a mark and beauty from play - were vital on an evening where scores were conjured as easily as blood from a stone.

He’ll be kept. Whether that’s at wing-forward or corner-forward is now certainly a topic of debate.

Ryan O’Donoghue

His last act on Saturday was hitting a penalty straight down the middle at the Derry goalie.

Let that take nothing away from another fine display on an evening when his supply of ammunition was limited.

His flick to set up a move that ended with him scoring a second-half penalty was nothing short of an act of genius.

Once again, the Belmullet man was Mayo’s highest scorer with 1-4 (three frees, one penalty).

Mayo scored a total of 6-114 in the 2024 championship. Ryan O’Donoghue kicked 3-48, a staggering 43 percent of Mayo’s entire points tally.

A remarkable haul from one of the finest forwards ever to cross the bridge at Bellacorick.