There was no shortage of drama or excitement as Mayo held on for a morale-boosting Allianz Football League Division 1 win over Armagh on a wet and windy day at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park in Castlebar.
Andy Moran's men racked up their fourth win of the campaign in typically dramatic fashion, surviving a flying finish by Armagh to emerge victorious by a single point in front of 10,988 spectators.
The introduction of impact sub Kobe McDonald for the final quarter proved to be a masterstroke by Moran, as the 18-year-old followed up his sensational debut a week earlier with two points from play and a number of key assists.
Armagh pulled out all the stops to come from 10 points down to trail by just a single score in the closing stages, but they were unable to get level or ahead in the testing conditions.
Mayo had led at half-time by 1-11 to 0-5 after playing with the aid of a gale, and an early score after the restart from Bob Tuohy pushed them 10 points ahead.
That was also the margin that separated the sides after 45 minutes, but Armagh’s comeback really got going at that stage as the visitors shot seven points without reply to come storming back into contention.
They harnessed the wind impressively as Greg McCabe and Oisin O’Neill both fired over a couple of two-pointers before Ross McQuillan, Tiernan Kelly and Cian McConville raised white flags.
The momentum had clearly swung in Armagh’s direction at that stage so it was no surprise that Mayo introduced McDonald after 51 minutes to try and turn the tide.
The teenager was involved in the build-up to Cian McHale’s goal in the 55th minute that helped to get Mayo back on track and restored their six-point cushion.
But Armagh stuck to their task and refused to blink. They shot six of the next seven points as they laid siege to the homeside’s goal with Oisin Conaty, Ross McQuillan, Cian McConville (free), Darragh McMullan and Oisin O’Neill (a two-point free) all clipping scores to keep their team in the hunt.
By the time this purple patch had ended there was only a single point between the sides (2-15 to 0-20) with five minutes of normal time remaining, and all bets were off.
Mayo needed somebody to take the initiative and it was the likes of Sam Callinan and McDonald who stepped up with crucial scores in the 67th and 71st minutes when the chips were down.
Everyone was on the edge of their seats as the clock went into the red, especially when Oisin O’Neill (free) and Greg McCabe knocked over points to haul Armagh back into contention again.
But the hooter sounded moments later, much to the relief of Mayo who had held out for a deserved victory after a game that had ebbed and flowed relentlessly.
Armagh won the toss but elected to play against the strong wind. Mayo hit the ground running with a quickfire point from Conor Loftus and a second minute goal from the in-form Jordan Flynn, who pulled on a loose ball in the Armagh goalmouth after a long delivery broke into his path.
These early scores settled the home side and Paul Towey kicked them into a 1-02 to no score lead after 13 minutes to extend their lead.
Armagh did open up the Mayo cover on a number of occasions but a combination of poor finishing and some impressive scramble defence by the homeside kept them at bay.
Callum O’Neill finally opened the visitor’s account on 15 minutes and Cian McConville also hit the target five minutes later to keep the scoreboard ticking.
But Mayo were about to find their range up at the other end, and the Westerners landed four two-pointers in the space of 11 minutes to convert some hard-earned possession into hard currency.
Jordan Flynn got the ball rolling with a superb strike in the 21st minute before Conor Loftus, Ryan O’Donoghue (from a free after an Armagh breach) and Cian McHale all hit the target from 40 metres plus in quick succession.
This blitz left Mayo ahead by 1-10 to 0-04 as Armagh countered with white flags from Blaine Hughes (free) and Jason Duffy to try and stay in touch.
The lively Cian McConville also nailed a neat snap-shot score in the 32nd minute to narrow the gap but this effort was cancelled out deep into additional time by an inspirational point from Sam Callinan, who slalomed through the Armagh defence before fisting the ball over on the run.
This score brought the curtain down on a good first half’s work by Mayo that left them in good shape as they turned around to face into the elements.
The second half proved to be a rollercoaster ride with Armagh left to reflect on another result that got away while Mayo’s upward curve continues.
Mayo: R Hennelly; J Coyne, R Brickenden, E Hession; S Callinan (0-02), C Loftus (0-03, tp), P Durcan; B Tuohy (0-01), D McBrien; J Carney, R O’Donoghue (0-03, tpf), J Flynn (0-3, tp); C McHale (1-03, 1tp), A O’Shea, P Towey (0-01).
Subs: S Coen for Loftus (38, inj); S Morahan for Coyne (ht); K McDonald (0-2) for O’Shea (51); C Dawson for Towey 56); D O’Connor for McHale (65).
Armagh: B Hughes (0-1, 1f); J Duffy (0-1), G Murphy, P McGrane; R McQuillan (0-2), T Kelly (0-1), J Óg Burns; C O’Neill (0-1), B Crealey; D McMullan (0-1), C Turbitt, G McCabe (0-3, 1tp); C McConville (0-6, 2fs), O O’Neill (0-5, 1tp, 1tpf, 1f), O Conaty (0-1).
Subs: F O’Brien for Turbitt (60); E Rafferty for Duffy (67).
Referee: D Coldrick (Meath)
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