Mayo need little extra
SUPERSUBS Conor Loftus and Jason Doherty rescued Mayo with crucial goals as Derry came close to a big shock. But the Derry challenge faded in
Mayo, who shot 17 wides in regular time, finished strongly to advance at Machale Park in Castlebar.
Derry only managed to score one point in the additional period as their 2017 Championship campaign fizzled out.
Mayo, who made two late changes with Aidan O’shea and Donal Vaughan coming in, had the breeze in the opening half but trailed by 0-8 to 0-7 at the break. They shot eight wides in that opening half but kept in contention with five pointed frees from Cillian O’connor.
O’connor also came close to snatching the opening goal but Derry goalkeeper Ben Mckinless did well after an effort from Andy Moran had come back off the woodwork after 19 minutes.
Derry too had goal chances with wing-back Carlus Mcwilliams being denied from point-blank range by David Clarke after the home defence was prised open.
Niall Loughlin landed five points for Derry in the opening half, four of them from frees and one excellent effort from play after 10 minutes.
Ryan Bell was a threat throughout for Derry and he kicked two excellent points while Benny Heron also found the range for the Ulster side.
The crowd of 11,465 were treated to an exciting second half with Mayo drawing level at 0-10 each going into the final quarter.
Loughlin and James Kielt opened up a two points lead for Derry but Paddy Durcan sparked a Mayo revival when he went forward to score three minutes from time.
Then a good move involving Seamus O’shea and O’connor set up Loftus for a smashing goal with the sub from Crossmolina following quickly with a point to put Mayo 1-12 to 0-12 in front going into stoppage time.
But Derry never gave up and forced the game to extra-time when Mark Lynch fisted home a delivery from Mcwilliams.
Mayo got on top in the first period of extra-time with Jason Doherty netting while, at the other end, David Clarke saved a penalty from Kielt to lead by 2-17 to 1-13 at the interval.
And while they lost Durcan to a red card, they never looked back.