Knockmore win kick out battle against The Neale to advance to Mayo semi-final

MAYO GAA U-21 B CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER-FINAL

The Neale 0-6

Knockmore 2-18

In Cong

IT was an easy win for Knockmore. Half-forward Dylan Coleman was player-of-the-match. Coleman scored 0-11, including two two-pointers from open play and six frees.

Coleman, a tall and powerful player, was too much to handle for The Neale defenders. He was at the core of many dangerous attacks for Knockmore, a warrior in the middle of the pitch, and a reliable free taker.

Midfield was actually the area where Knockmore laid the foundation for their win in sunny but cold conditions in Cong. The North Mayo men beat the hosts in the kick-out battle - decisively. About four out of five The Neale kick-outs ended up in Knockmore hands - either by a clean catch or by winning the breaking ball.

Partners in crime for Coleman: Especially Tomas Bourke and Darragh Staunton in the middle. Also strong performers: The half-backs Oisín McConallogue, Conor Breslin and Adrian Sotoparra.

In the first half, The Neale had the wind in their backs, but being starved of possession, they couldn’t capitalise on it. Mayo senior team member Tom Lydon wasn’t as clinical as usual. Lydon kicked four out of his team’s five points, but he also missed a couple.

At half-time, Knockmore were only up by 0-6 to 0-3. But they started racking up the scores in the second half. The two Knockmore goals came late when the game was decided.

Both green flags were raised by Conor Holmes, the substitute. In the 56th minunte, Holmes tapped in a high ball was dropped in front of The Neale goal. And the second goal came on the hour mark, when Holmes was suddenly alone inf front of the goalkeeper. He stepped around him and kicked the ball neatly into the net.

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