Mayo FC U-15s defeated by goal-hungry Waterford in Michael Hayes Cup

Michael Hayes Cup Round One

By Patrick Hennelly

Mayo FC 1

Zack Mulkerrin 11

Waterford 6

Bobby Keohan 27, Darragh Cummins 37, Conor Dempsey 54, Calum Slattery 70, Orion Cala 79, Ivan Voloshyn 85

In Milebush

A GOAL-hungry Waterford had too much firepower for Mayo FC at Umbro Park on Saturday afternoon as the hosts exited the Michael Hayes Cup at the first hurdle. 

Mayo FC were under the cosh during the embryonic stages of this clash, however, Raff Cretaro’s troops pilfered the lead after eleven minutes, courtesy of Zack Mulkerrin’s close-range header following a corner-kick. 

Waterford regrouped and their persistence was rewarded on 27 minutes, when the industrious Bobby Keohan finally had some luck in front of goal and guided home a sumptuous finish into the bottom corner of the net. 

Waterford’s pressure was unrelenting and the Munster outfit grabbed a second on 37 minutes when Darragh Cummins’ long-range strike fortuitously crept past Harry Naylor. 

Mayo could have levelled matters on 50 minutes; however, Paddy Hope’s tidy strike was thwarted by the Waterford custodian. 

The Blues then added a crucial third on 54 minutes, as Julian Power’s corner found Conor Dempsey and the latter’s fine header rippled the back of Naylor’s net.

The visitors effectively ended the game as a contest on 70 minutes, when the effervescent Calum Slattery ghosted past the home rearguard and finished with aplomb.

Waterford refused to ease off the gas, and during the final 11 minutes goals from Orion Cala and Ivan Voloshyn added further gloss to the full-time score-line for the Blues. 

A full report will be carried in Tuesday’s Mayo News Sport.