Mayo 1-20 Kerry 1-17
By Cian O’Connell at Croke Park
Following the decades of pain, this victory brought immense pleasure to Mayo.
Andy Moran’s pumped up team brought chaos and class to Croke Park. A first All-Ireland SFC triumph since 1951 was the reward.
The near misses and harrowing decider losses ensure this triumph will be gleefully celebrated for quite some time out west.
Ballyhaunis’ Jack Coyne, heroic during the game, climbed the Hogan Stand steps to hoist the Sam Maguire Cup. Mayo, with a flair for the dramatic, made sure this decider wasn’t short on intrigue.
Kerry started brightly, accumulating a seven point advantage, but there was a defiance about Mayo even during that testing spell. In the opening 12 minutes Mayo missed four two point attempts, but they kept beavering away.
Seán O’Shea crafted an opportunity for David Clifford to mine a 15th minute goal. At the opposite end of the field, the Kerry backs were being put under severe duress. Mayo were in the groove.
Despite trailing 1-5 to 0-1 as the end of the first quarter loomed, Mayo eventually landed a two pointer courtesy of Jack Carney.
Seán O’Shea replied with a point for Kerry, but Mayo were gathering belief and momentum. Ryan O’Donoghue rifled over a two pointer and Mayo kept trimming the deficit.
With Jordan Flynn supplying inspiration in the trenches, Mayo were forcing the Kerry attack to deal with a limited supply line. Nonetheless, the Cliffords still were prominent as Kerry departed at the break armed with a 1-8 to 0-10 advantage.
After the restart, Mayo continued to probe. A Darragh Beirne point and a 45 from the splendid Kobe McDonald had Mayo ahead, 0-12 to 1-8. Then, O’Donoghue and David McBrien fashioned a chance for Beirne to plant a tonic 40th minute major. Suddenly, Mayo were four to the good.
Full story and images https://www.gaa.ie/article/all-ireland-sfc-final-mayo-triumph-at-croke-park
Words & Images courtesy https://www.gaa.ie/
