Sligo secure another U-20 win over Mayo to set up Connacht semi-final against Galway

Sligo came from behind at the break to get the better of Mayo for the third consecutive season.

Just like last week it was Luke Marren who helped guide his side into next week’s semi-final against Galway. The Sligo marksman scored six second-half points as his side rallied from a 0-7 to 0-4 deficit at the interval.

Mayo started the match brightly as they raced into a four-point lead after ten minutes of play with Oisin Cronin getting a brace for his side in the early stages.

It took Sligo 12 minutes to register a score which came from Ronan Niland when he cut through the Mayo defence.

Mayo continued to dominate throughout the first half but they kicked a total of nine wides in the opening period. This would come back to haunt Peadar Gardiner’s side, who only went in at the break four points clear.

Marren reduced the gap to three points after just two minutes of the second half with a free after Niland was fouled. Mayo restored their four-point lead again on 39 minutes but they would only score once more for the remainder of the match.

Three points on the spin reduced the gap to single point with James Donlon, Marren and Dylan McLoughlin on target.

The big turning point came on 45 minutes when substitute Liam Maloney picked up black card for Mayo for a foul on Marren.

Sligo took great momentum with extra player as they kicked five points without reply to lead 0-12 to 0-8, with three points coming from Marren.

Mayo could only manage one more point as Sligo controlled the final quarter to set up meeting with Galway next weekend.

Scorers – Sligo: Luke Marren 0-6 (3f), James Donlon, Eli Rooney 0-2 each; Dylan McLoughlin, Ronan Niland, Mark McDaniel, Connor Flynn (0-1 mark) 0-1 each

Mayo: Niall Hurley, Oisin Croinn 0-2 each, Conal Dawson, Darragh Beirne, Tom O’Flaherty, Finbarr McLoughlin, Sean Morahan 0-1 each

Sligo E Carden; R Chambers, C Johnston, T Ross; R O’Hehir, D McLoughlin, R Sloyan ;C Sheridan, R Doherty; C Walsh, R Niland, J Donlon; M McDaniel, L Marren, C Flynn

Subs: D Walsh for R Chambers 29; R O’Kelly Lynch for M McDaniel 44; E Rooney for C Flynn 47; E Barrett for C Walsh 55; D Callaghan for J Donlon 60

Mayo D Dolan; R Mortimer, J MacMonagle, D Slattery; D Duffy, S Morahan, T O’Flaherty; J Melvin, C Dawson; F McLaughlin, C Keaveney, O Cronin; D Beirne, N Hurley, D Reilly

Subs: L Maloney for D Slattery ht; T Lydon for F McLaughlin 39; B Collins for C Dawson 51; P Gilmore for T O’Flaherty 54; L Moore for O Cronin 57

Referee: J Molloy (Galway)

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