ANYONE FOR RUGBY? Mayo’s David Kilcullen uses his initiative to stop Laois’ Stephen O’Leary during Saturday’s Cadbury’s All-Ireland U-21 FC semi-final at Dr Hyde Park. Pic: Sportsfile
Champions fall short Semi Final
Laois0-11
Mayo0-6 Mike Finnerty
Roscommon CHANCE for this season’s crop of Mayo U-21s to make their own unique piece of history was lost in disappointing fashion at Dr Hyde Park on Saturday as the reigning All-Ireland champions slipped up spectacularly.
In hindsight comparisons with last year’s title-winning team were premature as Laois exposed flaws in almost every sector and fully deserved their eventual victory.
Where the Leinster champions were direct and methodical, Mayo were often over-elaborate and careless.
Laois had obviously done their homework on the team that Pat Holmes, Noel Connelly and Michéal Collins had built and they never allowed Mayo to develop their slick, running game.
Instead Sean Dempsey’s team imposed their will onto their opponents as the match wore on; Cahir Healy curbing the threat of Pierce Hanley, John O’Loughlin standing firm at centre-back and Brendan Quigley exerting a considerable influence at midfield.
Their match-winners were in attack though, Craig Rogers pulling the strings with precision from centre-forward and man of the match, Michael Tierney, nailing five points and tormenting Mayo’s beleaguered backline.
The dismissal of wing-back Colm Boyle in the 34th minute was a real turning point. The Davitts defender was red-carded after a reckless challenge and with the match delicately poised at 0-5 apiece the last thing Mayo needed at that juncture was to lose a key figure.
The situation went from bad to worse soon after for the Connacht champions when totemic midfielder, Barry Moran, was stretchered off with an ankle injury. Deprived of two of their most experienced players, Mayo were suddenly in major difficulty.
Laois needed no second invitation to go for the jugular. In the absence of Moran, Brendan Quigley began to feature more prominently while Rogers, Tierney and Donie Brennan buzzed menacingly around the Mayo goal.
With Chris Barrett stationed at corner-back and Tom Cunniffe having his hands full with Rogers, much of the team’s pace and vigour was beyond reach.
And so Laois proceeded to outscore Mayo by 0-6 to 0-1 during the final 30 minutes.
To their credit the likes of Ger Cafferkey, Chris Barrett, Tom Parsons and Mark Ronaldson did their best to rally the troops and with ten minutes of normal time left Mayo only trailed by the minimum: 0-7 to 0-6.
The exertions of playing with fourteen men against physically daunting opponents finally caught up them however and Laois tacked on four points without reply in the closing stages to ease to victory.
Had Michael Tierney’s 43rd minute penalty not cannoned off the post then Laois could have had even more breathing space at the final whistle.
It became obvious in the early stages that Mayo would not be allowed the same kind of latitude that they had enjoyed in the provincial final.
Laois were abrasive and showed little fear or favour to the holders. Despite falling behind to quick scores from Pierce Hanley (free) and Mark Ronaldson, the Leinster representatives drew level in their own time.
David Conway and Tierney (free) tied the game up by the 16th minute and Mayo were struggling to find their customary rhythm. Far too often the ball was over-played out the field as an impatient full-forward line stood idle.
Pierce Hanley did place Tom Parsons for the lead score a minute later but the irrepressible Tierney replied instantly.
Mayo were trying everything to get their show on the road but Laois closed them down, got in amongst them, and unsettled them.
There was a rare moment of clarity when Enda Varley delivered a stunning score from the right wing with his left foot to nudge Mayo ahead in the 25th minute. Again Laois cancelled this score out through David Conway (free) before Tierney swung over a ‘45 to earn his team an interval lead of 0-5 to 0-4.
The ding-dong nature of the match seemed set to continue when the effervescent Mark Ronaldson chipped the equaliser seconds after the restart but fate – and referee Martin Sludden – was about to intervene.
The departure of Boyle and Moran changed the whole complexion of the match. Mayo lost their way from there to the finish and Laois turned the screw slowly but surely.
The arrival of 16 year old Donal Kingston (standing at 6’ 5” in his socks) gave them an extra dimension up front and while they only led by 0-8 to 0-6 after 54 minutes, Mayo were unable to make any inroads.
Cathal Greene, Michael Tierney and Niall Donoher all burst through to kick inspirational points before Tierney and Kingston tacked on frees to settle the issue.
Tom Parsons’ fine score from distance was Mayo’s only flag for the last half an hour and while they tried gallantly until the close there was to be no fairytale ending.
Laois C Munnelly; C Healy, M Timmons, B Meredith; S Lawlor, J O’Loughlin, N Donoher (0-1) B Quigley, C Greene (0-1); C Rogers (0-1), D Brennan, S O’Leary; M Tierney (0-5, 2fs, 1’45), S O’Neill, D Conway (0-2, 1f). Subs used: D Kingston (0-1, 1f) for O’Leary; I Fleming for Conway.
Mayo M McNulty; A Joyce, G Cafferkey, D Kilcullen; C Barrett, T Cunniffe, C Boyle; B Moran, T Parsons (0-2); A Campbell, P Hanley (0-1, 1f), A Hanley; E Varley (0-1), A McManamon, M Ronaldson (0-2). Subs used: J Burke for McManamon; S O’Shea for Moran (inj); B Benson for Varley; P O’Connor for A Hanley.
Referee: M Sludden (Tyrone)
