Mayo have set-up a mouth-watering showdown with Derry next Saturday where only the winner will advance to a place in this season’s Christy Ring Cup final. That’s after a storming second-half display by Derek Walsh’s side saw them overcome neighbouring Sligo by six points in a titanic tussle in Ballina this afternoon.
The 2-23 to 1-20 win means Mayo have retained their third-tier status for another year regardless of what transpires against the Oakleafers next weekend.
The home side were made to do things the hard way having spent most of the first-half playing catch-up to Sligo who then opened the second-half by scoring the game’s opening goal, with Conor Hannify capitalising on an error by goalkeeper Bobby Douglas.
However, two goals in reply by Mayo’s Keith Higgins and Kenny Feeney in the 47th and 50th minutes helped turn this tie on its head and the Green and Red were able to keep their rival at arm’s length down the home straight. The switching of Higgins to full-forward had been pivotal and having scored his goal it was he who also set-up Feeney for Mayo’s second.
Team captain Shane Boland also led by example, scoring thirteen points in all, nine of them from frees, with an impressive display also by his Tooreen club-mate Daniel Huane who chipped in with two points.
Derry are in action tomorrow (Sunday) where they will be expected to take maximum points from their home game against London.
