THE BIG GRAPPLE

No Mayo shock in New York

HISTORY didn’t repeat itself as Mayo powered to a comfortable win at a sun-drenched Gaelic Park in a one-sided Connacht SFC quarter-final yesterday.

A new-look New York side were unable to match their feats against Leitrim last year and, despite their best efforts, they were second best from start to finish against Kevin McStay’s seasoned charges.

Ace attacker Ryan O’Donoghue produced a man of the match performance, shooting 1-13 (including 1-4 from open play) while Aidan O’Shea marked his 85th Championship appearance (a new Mayo record) with an impressive display.

New York manager Alan O’Mara was only able to call on three of the players who started last year’s memorable penalty shootout victory due to a combination of retirements, work commitments, re-locations and injuries.

Players

In fact, the Exiles were down a total of 17 players from last year’s panel.

But despite trailing at half-time by 12 points (1-11 to 0-2), New York’s heads never dropped and two superb second-half goals from Frank

O’Reilly and Jamie Boyle were no more than they deserved.

Rookie goalkeeper Joey Grace also enhanced his reputation with a fine display, making a string of good stops to deny goals for the likes of Paul Towey and O’Shea.

A capacity crowd turned out and once O’Donoghue hit the New York net in the 21st minute, McStay’s team looked set for a victory which keeps them on course for a shot at a first provincial title since 2021.

Cillian O’Connor added a green flag from a penalty and Mayo’s focus will now turn to their Connacht semi-final at Roscommon in two weeks’ time — while New York will try to regroup ahead of the Tailteann Cup.

MAYO: C Reape; J Coyne, R Brickenden, S Callinan; P Durcan (0-1), S Coen, E McLaughlin; D McBrien, M Ruane; B Tuohy, F Boland (0-1), J Carney (0-2); A O’Shea (0-1, 1f), T Conroy, R O’Donoghue (1-13, 9fs). Subs: C O’Connor (1-1, 1-0pen) for Tuohy; D McHale (0-1) for McBrien; P Towey (0-1) for Conroy; E Hession for Coen; M Plunkett for McLaughlin; C Hunt for Durcan.

NEW YORK: J Grace; S Bolger, J Boyle (1-0), T O’Riordan; S Brosnan, C O’Dea, R Wharton (0-1); J Walsh, E O Conghaile; T Mathers, F O’Reilly (1-2, 1 mark), P Lillis; S Reilly, M Argue, K Butler (0-2). Subs: L Kearney for Reilly; J Ajani for S Brosnan; I Ilunga for Bolger (inj); A Loughlin Stones for Mathers; M Brosnan (0-1) for Argue.

Referee: M McNally (Monaghan)