O’Connor axis breaks Clare resistance to propel Mayo
MAYO never do things the easy way and once again their loyal supporters were put through the mill before they pulled away to see off a brave Clare challenge at a packed Cusack Park in Ennis.
Over 6,000 Mayo supporters made the journey – there was a 10-mile tailback out the Galway road in the afternoon – as Stephen Rochford’s men gained further momentum on a back door run which they hope will, like last year, take them to the final in September.
But by half-time the visiting supporters in the crowd of 11,576 were bracing themselves for a shock exit as Clare led by 0-8 to 0-6 at the break despite playing against the wind.
Colm Collins’ men should have been further ahead but, crucially, Andy Moran kicked two points in the closing moments of the half to take the sting out of what had gone on for most of the half.
Clare, as expected, had a right go at Mayo and the All-Ireland finalists struggled when the Banner men ran at them, with corner-back Martin McMahon leading the charge.
But then Clare lost midfielder Cathal O’Connor to injury early in the second half, having also seen wing-back Ciaran Russell pick up a black card and the disruption was key.
Mayo never panicked, even when trailing by double scores late in the opening half and their experience was telling as they dealt with the Clare challenge before taking control.
They were more proficient in front of goal than last week’s wastefulness against Derry but it was a double strike from the O’Connor brothers, Cillian and Diarmuid, in a three-minute spell early in the second half that decided this one.
Prior to that Clare had given themselves every chance of a shock victory when they led by 0-8 to 0-6 at the interval having played against the strong breeze.
Andy Moran, one of two late changes for Mayo, pointed in just 15 seconds but from there it was all Clare as they battled brilliantly for every ball.
Mayo, already without suspended wing-back Paddy Durcan, suffered a big blow after three minutes when Donal Vaughan picked up a black card for pulling down Gary Brennan.
Brennan was a key figure for Clare as Collins’ men showed that their fine showing against Kerry in the Munster championship wasn’t a fluke.
Eoin Cleary levelled with a point and then David Tubridy landed two frees either side of an effort from the impressive Brennan to open up a 0-4 to 0-1 lead after less than quarter an hour.
Jamie Malone should have extended that advantage when he soloed through from deep but his shot was superbly saved by David Clarke, on a day when the Mayo custodian made his 100th appearance for the county. But Malone extended the lead when he pointed from the right and then Keelan Sexton landed a ’45 to lead by 0-6 to 0-1 after 20 minutes and the prospect of a shock result increased. Aidan O’Shea helped Mayo respond, setting up Kevin McLoughlin for a good point and this was followed by good points from Diarmuid O’Connor and Lee Keegan as the Connacht outfit finally got into gear. However, Clare again responded in style with Sean Collins finishing off a good move with a point and Sexton made it 0-8 to 0-4 approaching the break. Clare really needed to hold that advantage to the break but Mayo finished the half strongly with veteran Moran shooting two crucial points to leave it 0-8 to 0-6 at the interval.
It was an entirely different story after the restart as Mayo took control, with McLoughlin pointing after just 21 seconds and then came the goals.
Conor Loftus set up the first one after 42 minutes when he intercepted a free from goalkeeper Joe Hayes before sending Cillian O’Connor through to shoot to the net.
Mayo sensed blood and got a real grip on the game when a good passing movement started by corner-back Chris Barrett was finished to the net by Diarmuid O’Connor to make it 2-7 to 0-8 after 44 minutes.
There was no way back for Clare, with only a David Tubridy free halting the slide.
Clare didn’t get a score from play in the second half until Gearoid O’Brien scored with just four minutes remaining, and while Eoin Cleary then landed one from the left wing, Mayo were out of sight, with Cillian O’Connor tacking on five frees in the second half.