Donnacha McHugh, Mayo, David Clifford, Kerry, in Allianz Football League Division One action. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
Allianz Football League Division One
Mayo 0-21 (0-2-17) Kerry 1-16 (1-3-10)
By Colm Gannon at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park
Mayo and Kerry engaged in a ding-dong battle that saw both sides at different stages looking to have the momentum to propel them to victory – but a strong final 10 minutes saw Mayo edge home to claim their second victory in the league this season.
Kevin McStay's team accumulated a substantial seven-point lead against Kerry. Their aggressive pressing suffocated Kerry's build-up play, particularly disrupting their kick-out strategy.
The opening minutes were fiercely contested, with Colm Reape putting Mayo on the scoreboard. Kerry responded with a rapid double-punch from David Clifford and Paul Geaney. Frank Irwin quickly restored parity, capitalising on a loose ball following Shane Ryan's restart.
Irwin's second score initiaited a period of sustained pressure. Ryan O'Donoghue's accuracy from placed balls extended their lead, before Diarmuid O'Connor briefly halted the Mayo onslaught.
Mayo's forward line then exploded, delivering six unanswered points. Darren McHale's sharp shooting, Matthew Ruane's powerful runs, Jack Carney's incisive play, and further scores from O'Donoghue and Sam Callinan demonstrated Mayo's superior cohesion at this stage of the action.
Brian O'Beaglaoich's netted for the visitors following a burst past Stephen Coen and a clinical finish, injected life into Kerry's challenge. David Clifford's subsequent free reduced the deficit.
But Ryan O'Donoghue's exceptional sideline point, executed with precision on the stroke of half-time, emphasized Mayo's dominance, leaving the score at 0-14 to 1-4.
A resurgent Kerry emerged after the interval, seizing control of possession, and dictating the pace. Dylan Geaney ignited their comeback with an immediate point, signalling their intent. Paudie Clifford, David Clifford, and Paul Geaney swiftly followed suit, chipping away at Mayo's lead, and reducing the deficit to a mere two points within nine minutes.
Ryan O'Donoghue momentarily stemmed the tide for Mayo, his crucial score bouncing in off the post. He then added another superb point, restoring a four-point cushion.
However, Dylan Geaney responded instantly with his second point, highlighting Kerry's relentless pressure. The sides traded scores, with Matthew Ruane and Paul Geaney exchanging points. Conor Geaney then punched the ball over the bar from close range, narrowing the gap to a single point and ratcheting up the tension.
David Clifford delivered a moment of brilliance, unleashing a stunning two pointer to guide Kerry into the lead for the first time. He extended their advantage to two with a close-range free, awarded after Colm Reape was penalized for a slow kick-out, seemingly shifting the momentum decisively in Kerry's favour.
Despite Kerry's surge, Mayo displayed remarkable resilience. David McBrien narrowed the gap to one, and Fergal Boland levelled with eight minutes remaining, setting up a thrilling finale. O'Donoghue, demonstrating his tenacity, won and converted a free, edging Mayo back in front with seven minutes left.
With the clock ticking down, Kerry earned a central free just outside the two point scoring zone. David Clifford stepped up, but his attempt was spectacularly plucked from above the crossbar by Colm Reape, a pivotal moment in the match.
After a period of sustained pressure, Matthew Ruane sealed Mayo's hard-fought victory with a decisive point as the final whistle approached, securing a dramatic two-point win.
Scorers for Mayo: Ryan O’Donoghue 0-9 (1 2ptf, 1 2pt sideline, 3fs), Matthew Ruane 0-3, Frank Irwin 0-2, Darren MacHale 0-2, Sam Callinan 0-1, Colm Reape 0-1, Jack Carney 0-1, Fergal Boland 0-1.
Scorers for Kerry: David Clifford 0-6 (1 2pt, 2fs), Dylan Geaney 0-4 (2 2pt), Paul Geaney 0-3 (1f), Brian Ó’Beaglaoich 1-0, Paudie Clifford 0-1, Diarmuid O’Connor 0-1, Conor Geaney 0-1.
Mayo: Colm Reape; Jack Coyne, Donnacha McHugh, Enda Hession; Stephen Coen, David McBrien, Sam Callinan; Frank Irwin, Matthew Ruane; Fenton Kelly, Darren McHale, Jordan Flynn; Aidan O'Shea, Ryan O'Donoghue, Jack Carney.
Subs: Seán Morahan for Callinan, Eoghan McLaughlin for Kelly (Davitts), Fergal Boland for Flynn, Bob Tuohy for McHale.
Kerry: Shane Ryan; Damien Bourke, Jason Foley, Dylan Casey; Graham O’Sullivan, Mike Breen, Brian Ó’Beaglaoich; Diarmuid O’Connor, Joe O’Connor; Darragh Lyne, Paudie Clifford, Armin Heinrich; David Clifford, Paul Geaney, Dylan Geaney.
Subs: Micheál Burns for Heinrich, Mark O’Shea for Lyne, Paul Murphy for Bourke, Conor Geaney for Paul Geaney, Dónal O’Sullivanfor Dylan Geaney.
Referee: Sean Hurson (Tyrone).
