Mayo hurlers battle to victory over gallant Louth in Castlebar

NICKY RACKARD CUP ROUND 3

Mayo 2-24

Louth 2-18

In Castlebar

Mayo were made fight to the death to preserve their unbeaten record in MacHale Park this afternoon. Their Louth opponents caused them all sorts of problems before a late flurry secured the home side's third win in succession.

The scores were tied at 2-18 apiece after 67 minutes before points from Ryan Duffy, Shane Boland, Eoin Delaney, Daniel Huane and Kieran McDermott gave the scoreboard a rather lop-sided appearance.

Louth were backed by the stiff breeze in the opening half and went to the interval with a three point advantage, 1-14 to 1-11. Ace attacker Leon Fox was causing the home defenders all sorts of problems, while free-taker Darren Geoghegan was unerring from a range of distances.

Mayo were finding it hard to make inroads in attack but a goal from McDermott after 14 minutes kept them well in touch.

Louth responded with a goal of their own from Fox and were well worth their lead at the change of ends.

Mayo began the second half in explosive fashion and a goal from Sioman Thomas after just 40 seconds balanced the scores. It looked at that stage as if the wind-assisted home side would pull away but Louth were having none of it.

They stayed in the game with centre-half-back Mark Gahan particularly impressive. The Leinster men received a huge boost after 45 minutes when they were awarded a penalty for a foul on speedy attacker Paddy Lynch. Mayo full-back Oisin Greally was subsequently black-carded and Fox drilled the penalty to the net to put the guests in front 2-15 to 2-13.

At that stage Mayo were becoming frustrated with some of the decisions from the match officials and the umpires at one end left everyone in a quandary when what looked like two clear points for the home side were not awarded.

However, despite hitting a stream of legitimate wides, Mayo eventually drew level. Louth still refused to fade away and the scores were still tied after 67 minutes before a Mayo surge sealed the deal and left Ray Larkin's men on the edge of a place in the final with two rounds still to play.

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