Mayo Bowl Carlow Over to Claim Kennedy Bowl
- Jun 19,2011
Mayo were Kennedy Bowl Winners at the Kennedy Cup on Friday in Limerick. The Westerners defeated Carlow in a tense final to win their most prestigious trophy to date in the competition and it turned out to be a famous week as the boys put on an exhibition of football and a squad member getting individual recognition.
Mayo began the tournament in Group 1 with a tie against Clare and they were in great form throughout the game. Keelan McDonnell opened the scoring early on and the matter was settled by Jesse Devers in the second half to give Mayo a very comfortable win. The second game against West Waterford/East Cork was an interesting encounter and Mayo found themselves 2-0 down at the break. James Lyons got Mayo back into things with an early goal after the break but soon after, Mayo were 3-1 down. Jesse Devers engineered the fightback following an injury to the WW/EC keeper and the luck stayed firmly with Mayo with a late penalty that was converted by Sean Keaney and Mayo nearly produced a winner in a very entertaining game. Mayo went into the evening game against an impressive Galway side knowing a win would see them win the group. Galway's quality in the first half helped them to a 2-0 cushion. Mayo had the better of the second half without pulling a goal back and Mayo were confirmed as group runners up.
As Mayo found their level in the tournament, they faced Limerick Desmond in the Bowl Quarter Final and first half goals by James Devanney and Jesse Devers put Mayo on their ways. Limerick Desmond put Mayo under a lot of pressure in the second half and grabbed a goal back but Mayo defended very well to hold out for victory. After all the games played on Wednesday, Jesse Devers was named as Footballer of the Day. The semi final was against the side that defeated Mayo in 2008 and 2009 Bowl Finals, Wexford and it was to be a very tight game with few opportunities. Jesse Devers netted for Mayo early in the second half and Mayo defended well to book their place in the final. Mayo went into the final swapping their lucky green kit for all white as Carlow wore the green on the occasion. Mayo grabbed a foothold on the game and deservedly took the lead through Jason Hunt. Jason Hunt soon grabbed his brace when he scored direct from a corner kick and Mayo were well in control. Carlow made a great fightback in the second half and were awarded a penalty, which cannoned off the post. Mayo kept Carlow at bay until a second penalty was awarded. This time, the spot kick was converted and luckily so as Paul Walsh got a strong hand to it. Carlow made a late assault but Mayo held out for a famous victory and the players celebrated with family and friends that travelled to Limerick. Sean Keaney was presented with the Kennedy Bowl and it was a trophy well deserved as Mayo got voted as the best footballing side of the week. The Mayo Schoolboys/Girls and Youths AFL would like to thank everybody for making the week such a great success and thanks to everybody that travelled to Limerick to give their support.
Mayo: Paul Walsh, Nathan Howley, Keelan McDonnell, Sean Keaney, Johnny Burke, Colin Gill, Jesse Devers, Stephen McDermott, Rhyne Collins, Peter Walsh, Jason Hunt Jamie O'Donnell, Liam Byrne, Paul Doyle, Cormac Reape, James Devanney, Jamie Lyons, Matthew Leneghan, Fintan Borotto, Gary Horan
