Mayo deliver knockout blow

irishtimes.com - Last Updated: Sunday, July 31, 2011, 18:47
Mayo deliver knockout blow

Mayo's Kevin McLoughlin celebrates his goal with Enda Varley. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho
Cork 2-6 Mayo 1-13: Croke Park, so often a graveyard for Mayo football, was the scene of one of the county’s finest hours this afternoon as the rank outsiders deposed defending champions Cork in the All-Ireland quarter-finals.

It was a victory even the most one-eyed of diehards west of the Shannon would not have predicted, not least when Conor Counihan’s side raced into an early five point lead.

But Mayo kept plugging away and finally hit the front in the 42nd minute. Having got their noses in front, the Connacht champions would never be behind again as Cork’s misfiring attack was restricted to just a single score in the entire second half.

By the end, Cork’s increasingly desperate attacks were easily repelled as Mayo ran out thoroughly deserving four-point winners.

There was a much different complexion to a fascinating contest – the perfect antidote to Kerry’s procession earlier at GAA headquarters – after an opening 15 minutes which went perfectly according to the script.

An early penalty was expertly dispatched by Donnacha O’Connor before he added a brace of points while Paul Kerrigan also found his range.

Mayo had mustered just a the one point at that stage but their challenge ignited with a stunning strike from Kevin McLoughlin six minutes later. McLoughlin gathered the ball on the 45 metre line and made a beeline for the Cork goal before hammering it past Alan Quirke.

Kerrigan threatened to snuff out the revival with Cork’s second goal moments later but Mayo were not in the mood to be pushed around and turned just two points down.

And James Horan’s side carried that momentum into the second half, with goalkeeper Robert Hennelly among those on the scoresheet as the scores were swiftly tied.

Alan Dillon fired his side in front soon after and although Cork would level matters through John Miskella, the wear and tear of an injury-ravaged campaign began to tell as the Rebel’s challenge faded.

Their only chance of a lifeline was wasted when Fintan Goold sidefooted his effort badly wide and scores from Keith Higgins, Jason Doherty and Cillian O'Connor (2) ensured it would be Mayo’s day.

“We’re delighted,” admitted Horan afterwards. “Cork are superb All-Ireland champions so we’re delighted to get the better of them.”

It doesn’t get any easier for Mayo, with 2009 champions Kerry now waiting in the semi-finals.

“Look at the team Kerry have, the players they have available,” conceded Horan. “We’ll just do out own thing as we have done all year despite all the criticism. We’ll get on with it and be ready for the semi-final.