MAYO HAD TO hold on against a fierce Armagh fightback in front of just over 10,000 people in a rain soaked and windswept Castlebar to the two league points that were up for grabs.
The hosts had led by nine points at the break against the 2024 All-Ireland champions, thanks in most part to a trio of two-point efforts on the bounce between the 24th and 29th minute.
Mayo started brightest with Conor Loftus pointing early doo-s, before Jordan Flynn pulled on a Ryan O’Donoghue effort for a two pointer that dropped short and hammered it to the back of the net.
Paul Towey pushed Mayo five clear 12 minutes in with a well taken score after a quick break from defence to attack, before Callum O’Neill got Armagh’s first score of the afternoon. Darragh McMullen got in for a goal chance for the visitors that was broken out for a ’45, before Cian McConville registered his sides second point on 18 minutes.
Jordan Flynn then hammered over the first two pointer of the game not long after, before Blaine Hughes andstretchgot a point each, either side of another great Armagh goal chance that saw Rob Hennelly save from Jarly Óg Burns.
Ben Crealey and Oisin Conaty with Conor Loftus.
Mayo then reeled off three two pointers on the spin from Conor Loftus, Ryan O’Donoghue and Cian McHale to stretched out their lead to nine. There was still time before the break for Cian McConville and Sam Callinan to swap points – which sent Mayo in leading 1-11 to 0-5 at the turn around.
Bob Tuohy extended Mayo’s advantage to ten points just two minutes into the second half, but Armagh, now playing with a strong breeze at their backs, grew steadily into the contest and controlled long stretches of the remainder of the game. Cian McConville struck two quick points to spark their revival, though Mayo answered through efforts from Ryan O’Donoghue and Cian McHale.
By the 45‑minute mark Armagh had fully adapted to the conditions. Greg McCabe and Oisín O’Neill landed successive scores, followed swiftly by points from Jason Duffy and Tiernan Kelly, cutting the deficit to four and shifting the momentum firmly towards the Ulster side. McConville added another to leave just three between them.
Armagh's Jason Duffy, and Mayo's Jordan Flynn and Sam Callinan.
Mayo appeared to have delivered the decisive blow shortly afterwards when they netted their second goal. Jordan Flynn combined with Kobe McDonald to release O’Donoghue, who picked out McHale breaking through. McHale rounded Hughes and finished calmly to restore a six‑point cushion.
Armagh refused to yield. Ross McQuillan and Oisín Conaty responded with rapid points, and although McDonald replied for Mayo, further scores from McConville, McMullen and an O’Neill free brought the gap back to a single point entering the final five minutes.
Sam Callinan nudged Mayo two ahead with a composed finish, and McDonald added his second after a sharp sidestep to push the margin to three as the clock wound down. O’Neill converted a close‑range free and McCabe saw another effort deflected over, but Mayo held firm to secure a hard‑earned victory.
Mayo manager Andy Moran.
Scorers for Mayo: Cian McHale 1-3 (1 2pt play), Jordan Flynn 1-2 (1 2pt play), Conor Loftus 0-3 (1 2pt play), Ryan O’Donoghue 0-3 (1 2pt free), Kobe McDonald 0-2, Sam Callinan 0-2, Bob Tuohy 0-1, Paul Towey 0-1.
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Mayo hold off Armagh fightback to claim victory in Castlebar
Mayo 2-17 (2-4-9)
Armagh 0-22 (0-3-16)
Colm Gannon reports from MacHale Park
MAYO HAD TO hold on against a fierce Armagh fightback in front of just over 10,000 people in a rain soaked and windswept Castlebar to the two league points that were up for grabs.
The hosts had led by nine points at the break against the 2024 All-Ireland champions, thanks in most part to a trio of two-point efforts on the bounce between the 24th and 29th minute.
Mayo started brightest with Conor Loftus pointing early doo-s, before Jordan Flynn pulled on a Ryan O’Donoghue effort for a two pointer that dropped short and hammered it to the back of the net.
Paul Towey pushed Mayo five clear 12 minutes in with a well taken score after a quick break from defence to attack, before Callum O’Neill got Armagh’s first score of the afternoon. Darragh McMullen got in for a goal chance for the visitors that was broken out for a ’45, before Cian McConville registered his sides second point on 18 minutes.
Jordan Flynn then hammered over the first two pointer of the game not long after, before Blaine Hughes andstretchgot a point each, either side of another great Armagh goal chance that saw Rob Hennelly save from Jarly Óg Burns.
Mayo then reeled off three two pointers on the spin from Conor Loftus, Ryan O’Donoghue and Cian McHale to stretched out their lead to nine. There was still time before the break for Cian McConville and Sam Callinan to swap points – which sent Mayo in leading 1-11 to 0-5 at the turn around.
Bob Tuohy extended Mayo’s advantage to ten points just two minutes into the second half, but Armagh, now playing with a strong breeze at their backs, grew steadily into the contest and controlled long stretches of the remainder of the game. Cian McConville struck two quick points to spark their revival, though Mayo answered through efforts from Ryan O’Donoghue and Cian McHale.
By the 45‑minute mark Armagh had fully adapted to the conditions. Greg McCabe and Oisín O’Neill landed successive scores, followed swiftly by points from Jason Duffy and Tiernan Kelly, cutting the deficit to four and shifting the momentum firmly towards the Ulster side. McConville added another to leave just three between them.
Mayo appeared to have delivered the decisive blow shortly afterwards when they netted their second goal. Jordan Flynn combined with Kobe McDonald to release O’Donoghue, who picked out McHale breaking through. McHale rounded Hughes and finished calmly to restore a six‑point cushion.
Armagh refused to yield. Ross McQuillan and Oisín Conaty responded with rapid points, and although McDonald replied for Mayo, further scores from McConville, McMullen and an O’Neill free brought the gap back to a single point entering the final five minutes.
Sam Callinan nudged Mayo two ahead with a composed finish, and McDonald added his second after a sharp sidestep to push the margin to three as the clock wound down. O’Neill converted a close‑range free and McCabe saw another effort deflected over, but Mayo held firm to secure a hard‑earned victory.
Scorers for Mayo: Cian McHale 1-3 (1 2pt play), Jordan Flynn 1-2 (1 2pt play), Conor Loftus 0-3 (1 2pt play), Ryan O’Donoghue 0-3 (1 2pt free), Kobe McDonald 0-2, Sam Callinan 0-2, Bob Tuohy 0-1, Paul Towey 0-1.
Scorers for Armagh: Cian McConville 0-6 (0-2f), Oisin O’Neill 0-5 (2 2pt frees), Greg McCabe 0-3 (1 2pt play), Callum O’Neill 0-2, Blaine Hughes 0-1 (0-1f), Jason Duffy 0-1, Ross McQuillan 0-1, Tiernan Kelly 0-1, Darragh McMullen 0-1, Oisin Conaty 0-1.
Mayo
1. Rob Hennelly (Raheny)
2. Jack Coyne (Ballyhaunis – captain), 17. Rory Brickenden (Westport), 4. Enda Hession (Garrymore)
5. Sam Callinan (Ballina Stephenites), 6. Conor Loftus (Crossmolina Deel Rovers), 7. Paddy Durcan (Castlebar Mitchels)
8. Bob Tuohy (Castlebar Mitchels), 9. David McBrien (Ballaghaderreen)
10. Jack Carney (Kilmeena), 11. Ryan O’Donoghue (Belmullet), 12. Jordan Flynn (Crossmolina Deel Rovers)
13. Cian McHale (Moy Davitts), 14. Aidan O’Shea (Breaffy), 26. Paul Towey – Charlestown Sarsfields
Subs:
Armagh
1. Blaine Hughes (Carrickcruppen)
19. Jason Duffy (Cullyhanna), 3. Gareth Murphy (Killeavy), 4.Peter McGrane (Ballyhegan)
5. Ross McQuillan (Cullyhanna), 6. Tiernan Kelly (Clann Éireann), 7. Jarly Óg Burns (Silverbridge)
8. Callum O’Neill (Belleek), 9. Ben Crealey (Maghery)
20. Darragh McMullen (Madden), 11. Conor Turbitt (Clann Éireann), 12. Greg McCabe (Camlough)
13. Cian McConville (Crossmaglen Rangers), 14. Oisín O’Neill (Crossmaglen Rangers), 15. Oisín Conaty (Tir na nÓg)
Subs:
Referee: David Coldrick (Meath)
****
Results – GAA Football League
Division 3
Division 4
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Armagh Castlebar GAA green and red Mayo