Allianz Football League: Derry win Mayo thriller to edge closer to League final
- Published
Derry led by nine points midway through the second half in Castlebar but had to withstand a Mayo fightback before closing out the win
Derry found the answers to a late Mayo surge to return to the top of Division One and leave them on the brink of a place in the league final.
Leading by nine midway through the second period in Castlebar on Sunday, it was looking like a comfortable day for Mickey Harte's men.
But Mayo summoned a fine response to whittle the gap back to two in what turned into a thriller.
However, Derry steadied and found the late scores to seal a 3-15 to 2-13 win.
Shane McGuigan top-scored for the Oak Leafers with 1-6 and his contribution wasn't just to the attack as he got back and make a fine block late on with Mayo raiding.
The hosts opened brightly with a pair of scores before McGuigan got off and running with his first point.
Loughlin fists Derry's first goal
Shortly after, Niall Loughlin read what looked like a mishit shot from McGuigan to perfection, fisting to the net.
Mayo hit back just seconds later as Jordan Flynn burst through the middle and his thunderbolt gave Odhran Lynch no chance.
It was nip and tuck with the lead changing hands as Tommy Conroy gave Mayo the lead again after 23 minutes to make it 1-4 to 1-3, but it would be their last score of the opening period.
McGuigan tied it up again and after Ciaran McFaul and Padraig McGrogan registered, Ethan Doherty intercepted Colm Reape's kick-out and found McGuigan inside to steady and roll to the net, bringing his tally to 1-4 for the first half and helping his side into a 2-7 to 1-4 advantage at the half.
It was a lively 10 minutes after the restart with the teams hitting three points apiece but it looked to be game over on 44 minutes as Conor McCluskey was put through to lash home a third Derry goal, making it 3-10 to 1-7.
Nine points remained the gap when Mayo suddenly came to life as substitute Paul Towey got on the end of a long ball to slot home just seconds after his introduction.
A Conor Glass points eased Derry's nerves after Mayo had hit 1-4 without reply at the start of the final quarter
Either side, Diarmuid baker cleared off the line from Tommy Conroy and Odhran Lynch saved brilliantly from Jordan Flynn, but a run of 1-4 had Mayo to within two and their tails up.
However, Conor Glass eased Derry nerves with a score and after McGuigan brought his tally to 1-6 for the day, substitute Niall Toner slotted back-to-back points to finish the job and leave Derry with one foot in the final.
Derry may already have done enough to reach the Division One final although we'll not know that until next weekend's final round of games when the Oak Leafers host relegation-threatened Roscommon, knowing that they will be guaranteed a final spot if they avoid defeat.
Mickey Harte's side are two points ahead of Dublin and Kerry - with the Dubs at home to already-safe Tyrone next weekend and Kerry hosting Galway.
If Roscommon were to earn a shock win in Derry, home victories for Dublin and Kerry would see the Oak Leafers, Dubs and Kingdom all on 10 points - and the two League final spots being decided on scoring difference.
Derry's current scoring difference is +25 with Dublin on +28 and Kerry +9, so the Oak Leafers' final spot looks reasonably secure.
Mickey Harte's side could also be helped by Kerry's game having the added jeopardy of Galway potentially needing a result in Killarney to stay in Division One - if the Rossies were able to win at Celtic Park.