Mayo celebrates as Stoke City striker hits four goals

THERE are celebrations in West Mayo after Irish international Tom Cannon scored four goals for Stoke City in their 6-1 Championship win over Portsmouth last night.

The striker who's on loan from Leicester City was on fire and became the first Stoke City player in 24 years to hit four goals in one game.

Cannon has strong Mayo links with family members in Louisburgh, Balla and Castlebar delighted to hear of his groundbreaking achievement. Tom's family has a long association with Louisburgh GAA Club and the Cannon clan from the village of Mulagh were top marksmen for the club over the years.

That talent in front of goal was very evident last night when Tom scored two early goals to help Stoke City to a 3-1 lead at half-time. His first came after just 13 minutes when the 21-year-old Irish man curled a free kick to the net and he followed up with another strike two minutes before the interval.

Things got even better after half time when Cannon netted twice more, including a 48th-minute penalty as Stoke hit six for the first time since blitzing Liverpool in the Premier League nine years ago.

Cannon made his Irish senior debut against Portugal earlier this year after starring at U-21 level previously during a very successful stint at Schoolboy and Youth level with Everton.