Mayo Comeback Pips Cork

NFL Fifth Round
Cork 2-8 Mayo 1-12

By Denis O'Brien

Mayo turned a six point half time deficit into a one point victory after an early second period blitz of 1-3 made good their recovery to set up victory in this entertaining National Football League tie under lights at Pairc Ui Rinn last Saturday night.

A Conor Mortimor point for Mayo opened the scoring before Cork's James Masters sent his side into the lead with a pair of frees. The first of Cork's two first half goals came when Masters lofted a free for their new and giant full forward, Michael Cussen to deftly fist in for a fine goal.

Cussen's height was causing problems in Mayo's full back line as he laid ball off continually. Before pointing himself, Cussen then palmed down to Kevin O'Sullivan and he blasted to the Mayo net for a great goal. Mayo found themselves in arrears by six points at the break with a mountain to climb to get back in the game.

But that mountain had been shorn away inside the opening ten minutes of the restart as points from Pat Harte and Conor Mortimor were quickly followed by a Mortimor goal to leave just the one in it. The local crowd were feeling anything but pleased to see their Rebel's healthy lead washed away at an alarming quick rate. Soon after Marty McNicholas for Mayo tied the side's before the excellent James Masters edged Cork back in front with a lovely point. Masters regained the lead for Cork when he added two more quick points with just a quarter left to play.

Cork seemed to be getting the measure of their opponents finally but they were guilty of some wayward shooting which didn't help and one wondered might they get second chances. Mayo fought back and the lively Andy Moran along with Marty McNicholas put over a pair of points to level the sides. Nearing the end, Aidan Kilcoyne ran on to a ball before sending a point between the posts to grab a one point lead. Despite late efforts from Cork, Mayo held out for the one point win.