Mayo Progress to Semi- Final

• Jun 11,2008

After the dissapointment of losing the final group game 4-0 to The DDSL, Mayo bounced back today beating a strong Kilkenny team on penalty kicks.

Kilkenny opened the scoring in the first half, but Mayo stormed back in the second half with a well executed goal by the ever improving Noe Baba.

With no further scoring it was down to penalties. Kilkenny scored the first penalty to put the prssure on Mayo. Colm Nevin was first up for Mayo and he made no mistake. Connor OMalley became the Mayo hero when he saved Kilkennys second attempt. James Stretton with some fancy footwork put Mayo ahead. With Kilkenny scoring their remaining  penaltis and James ODonnell and Cian Burke scoring for Mayo, it was left to Westport Uniteds Ciaran McFadden with the simple task of putting the ball in the net for Mayo to win the game. The obvious comparison with John Terry in the Champions League final were being made on the side lines. Ciaran opted to put power into the shot and although the keeper got a hand to it he could not keep the shot from crossing the line. Such was the force of the shot that the keeper needed treatment to his wrist.

 Mayo now move on to the Bowl semi final tomorrow against Drogheda. Whatever happens in this match Manager Paul Byrne will be proud of his young teams performance.