Tommy Conroy scores a hat-trick as The Neale return to winning ways in eight-goal thriller

Mayo Intermediate Football Championship

The Neale 4-14 Burrishoole 4-9

In Cong

AN eight-goal thriller by the shores of Lough Mask ended with a well-earned victory for The Neale this weekend. 

Those who gathered at a sun-drenched Cong on Saturday were given a real treat as Mayo star Tommy Conroy bagged a hat-trick in one of his best displays for the club in some time.

Tom Lydon (1-6) and Adam Rehill (2-5) were also in fine form in a game which enthralled from start to finish. 

Goals from Conroy (2), Lydon and Adam Rehill (a penalty) and Patrick Chambers were among the highlights of a cracking first half which ended with a 3-4 to 2-6 lead for Donal Costello’s charges.

The Neale’s half-time pep-talk seemed to have worked wonders and early second-half points from Padraic Walsh and Dylan Keane while Tommy Conroy finished his hat-trick. 

However, the dingdong nature of the tie continued and Burrishoole’s Jason Doherty plundered a goal on 39 minutes, and the score was 4-6 yo 3-8 after 45 minutes.

The Neale didn’t panic, and A flurry of points helped muster a vital 4-13 to 3-9 advantage for the hosts in the dying minutes. 

Burrishoole’s outstanding full-forward Rehill managed to crash home a goal on 60 minutes, but it would prove to be a mere consolation effort, as The Neale claimed the spoils to reignite their championship campaign.