Mayo fail to excite as they battle past Leitrim in Carrick-on-Shannon

CONNACHT SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL

Leitrim 0-13

Mayo 0-20

In Carrick-on-Shannon

MAYO have room for improvement in every department. That was the stark message delivered by team manager Kevin McStay aftetr he watched his side stutter to victory in mist-shrouded Páirc Seán MacDíarmada this evening. However, McStay also went on to stress that victory was only requirement today and now all attention is focused on the upcoming Connacht final against either Galway or Roscommon.

The men in green and red huffed and puffed their way to victory against a Leitrim team who had midfielder Barry McNulty in sparkling form. Mayo came into the game as overwhelming favourites but failed to live up to that billing all game.

Leitrim were combative and impressive long periods but ran out of energy in the closing stages as Mayo ran their bench and kicked enough scores to secure a place in the provincial final.

There were worried Mayo faces at half time as the guests were just a point in front, 0-8 to 0-7, after a first half when Leitrim refused to be over-awed by their lofty opponents.

McNulty was inspirational at midfield for the home side, converting two two-point frees and another from closer to the posts. At the back, Kieran Clancy was doing a good job marking Aidan O'Shea, who was making his 200^th appearance for Mayo.

Ryan O'Donoghue ended the first half with three points to his name, but Mayo were pedestrian and dull as they struggled against the energetic home side.

Mayo looked to inject some pace into the contest after the break but couldn't shake off the home side. McNulty, Riordan O'Rurke and Tom Prior kicked points for the hosts but Mayo stayed in front thanks to O'Donoghue's accuracy from placed balls. The Belmullet man finished the game with nine points to his name.

Paul Towey came off the bench to add much-needed impetus to the Mayo attack and both he and Jordan Flynn caught the eye as the man in green and red move just out of reach. Leitrim never stopped trying but couldn't overhaul the guests who went home with a lot of work to do over the next two weeks.

A full report and after-match reaction will be carried in Tuesday's Mayo News.