Mayo progresing well in George Best Cup
- Jul 17,2010
Mayo's first game was against Cregagh Wanderers at Ashfield Boys High School and Mayo dominated the game from start to finish. Leroy Nevin put Mayo 1-0 up early on with a tidy finish. Michael Corrigan soon doubled the lead and Mayo were on the ascendacy. Cormac Rushe made it 3-0 a minute later and it was pretty much easy for Mayo.
The second half saw Mayo maintaining their territorial dominance and made it 4-0 with a Jamie Fallon penalty. Stephen Coen wrapped up the scoring in a game that Mayo were rarely troubled and Brian Mullen made an impression when he came in as sub late in the game.
Mayo: Conor O'Malley, James O'Donnell, Andrew Shally, Padraig Keane, Martin Owens (Capt), Leeroy Nevin, Conor Byrne, Jamie Fallon, Cormac Rushe, Michael Corrigan, Stephen Coen. Subs: James Stretton-Leeroy Nevin, Andrew Peters-Cormac Rushe, Diarmuid O'Connor, Padraig Keane, Brian Mullen-James O'Donnell, Edward Hanlon-Conor O'Malley.
Mayo moved onto Shorts grounds after lunch and their first assignment on that ground was a tie against Doyle FC. The game turned into a battle as Doyle FC put in lots of robust challenges, while Mayo had plenty off opportunities to get their noses in front. Mayo eventually broke free from the shackles of being goalless when Michael Corrigan put his side ahaed.
The second half saw Cregagh causing Mayo some problems and hit the crossbar with one effort. Mayo started to create chances again but came under some very hard challenges by a very tough side. Mayo eventually doubled their lead with a header by James O'Donnell, but Cregagh did pull a goal back. Mayo held out to win and set up their encounter with Cabinteely to got through.
Mayo: Conor O'Malley, Martin Owens, Andrew Shally (Capt), Padraig Keane, James O'Donnell, Conor Byrne, Jamie Fallon, Diarmuid O'Connor, Leeroy Nevin, Michael Corrigan, Stephen Coen. Subs: Jack Feeney-Jamie Fallon, Cormac Rushe-James O'Donnell, Andrew Peters-Conor Byrne.
Mayo approached the Cabinteely game knowing that a draw would win the group and started off slowly but once they got going, they ended up playing the best football of the day. Cormac Rushe opened the scoring for Mayo and that is how it panned out at half time.
Mayo, with Jack Feeney massively growing in confidence, looked pretty good and deserved to double their advantage with Leeroy Nevin netting. Cabinteely did get a goal back but Stephen Coen did finish off the game to earn Mayo a 3-1 win and their table topping performance earns them a crack at Bohemians from Dublin at 10:00 in the morning in the quarter final of the George Best Community Cup. It will be a difficult challenge as Mayo would be looking to be playing in The Oval, home of Glentoran on Sunday, if they come through tomorrow.
Mayo: Edward Hanlon, Martin Owens, Conor Byrne (Capt), Brian Mullen, Diarmuid O'Connor, James Stretton, Jack Feeney, Andrew Peters, Leeroy Nevin, Jamie Fallon, Cormac Rushe. Subs: Michael Corrigan-Leeroy Nevin, Stephen Coen-Jamie Fallon, James O'Donnell-Conor Byrne.
