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Irish Times
4 days ago
- General
- Irish Times
Mayo prove they've still got it in win over subdued Tyrone
All-Ireland SFC: Tyrone 1-13 Mayo 2-17 Mayo gonna Mayo. The vibes were terrible, the manager was laid up, the noise off the pitch was turned up to 11. And so of course they came to Omagh and beat Tyrone up a stick. What else did you expect? They showed a side of themselves here that most of us, in our innocence, presumed was gone for the year. They were full of running and purpose, tackling like dervishes, emptying themselves in every position. Paddy Durcan made his first championship start in 14 months and went back down the road with three points and the Man of the Match award. Davitt Neary came off the bench to leave scorch marks in the grass. Aidan O'Shea was the fulcrum for everything. For Tyrone, this was largely a non-performance. Other than 20 minutes of resistance after half-time, they looked like a team that had left their gallop behind them in Ballybofey last week. They played against a strong breeze in the first half but that didn't look like reason enough for their troubles. It was more of a demeanour problem – too passive, too meh, too inclined to wait for the half-time turnaround. READ MORE By contrast, Mayo were snappier in the tackle and more forceful in their attempts to break up the field. The visitors didn't always look fluid in attack but this was the sort of night where sweat was worth more than swagger. Tyrone's Ciaran Daly and Mayo's Paddy Durcan. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho They carried the ball with purpose and even tried a few kick passes into the full-forward line, in a notable departure from what they've been doing all year. They won breaking ball and frequently burst through the first line of Tyrone's defence, butchering two goal chances before finally cashing in on the stroke of half-time. That goal from Darren McHale was a lotto win. Mayo had the ball with two minutes to go until the hooter and played it around among themselves – another sign of Tyrone's curious lack of bite. When, in the end, Bob Tuohy tried to kick a point to end the half, it dropped well short and Niall Morgan came to claim. Maybe the sun got in his eyes but even so, it was quite a howler from the Tyrone stopper – McHale will never score a handier one. It left them eight points up at the break, 1-9 to 0-4. Even though the goal was jammier than a lock-in at a Chivers factory, it gave Mayo a cushion they probably just about deserved. They had been braver and more cohesive than the home side and got their reward in spurts. Rory Brickenden scored the first two points of his championship career, Conal Dawson curled a beauty in on the wind. Everybody threw into the kitty. All of it was needed to. Mayo had plenty of the ball at the start of the second half but couldn't convert it to scores. They left 1-4 behind them in the first seven minutes, with Ryan O'Donoghue hitting the post after a deflection off Conn Kilpatrick. When O'Donoghue missed a kickable free on 43 minutes, it looked a crucial error. Mayo's Ryan O'Donoghue scores a penalty. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho All the more so when Darragh Canavan had the ball in the net a minute later. Durcan made his only mistake of the night, backing off the Tyrone magician and basically inviting him to have a go if he thought he was good enough. He did and he was. That made it 1-9 to 1-6, with all but three points of Mayo's half-time advantage wiped out. They sucked it up and went again. O'Donoghue pointed a free, Drucan notched another from play. Even when Niall Morgan landed his second two-point free of the night to bring the gap back to one, Mayo didn't quail. Durcan and O'Donoghue went again and by now Neary was off the bench and causing wreck. When he was fouled by Liam Gray for a penalty seven minutes from time, O'Donoghue stepped up and did the needful. So after everything, Mayo went back down the road with their best championship win since beating Galway in 2023. You couldn't be up to them. TYRONE: N Morgan (0-2-0, 2tpf); C Quinn, P Teague, N Devlin; M McKernan (0-0-1), R Brennan, K McGeary (0-0-1); B McDonnell (0-0-2), C Kilpatrick; S O'Donnell, M Donnelly, C Daly; D McCurry (0-0-2, 1f), M Bradley, D Canavan (1-0-3, 2f). Subs: S O'Hare for Brennan, L Gray for O'Donnell (both ht); P Harte for Bradley, R Canavan for Daly (both 47 mins); A Donaghy for McDonnell (62). MAYO: C Reape (0-0-1, 1 '45); J Coyne (0-0-1), S Morahan, R Brickenden (0-0-2); S Coen, D McBrien, E Hession; P Durcan (0-0-3), M Ruane; C Dawson (0-0-2), D McHale (1-0-0), B Tuohy; J Carney (0-0-1), A O'Shea (0-0-1), R O'Donoghue (1-0-6, 1-0 pen, 5f). Subs: D Neary for McHale, J Flynn for Tuohy (both 52 mins); F Kelly for Dawson (55); F Boland for Ruane (64); S Callinan for Durcan (68). Referee: D Coldrick (Meath).
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Defiant Mayo bounce back as only they can with dominant win over Tyrone
All-Ireland SFC: Mayo 2-17 Tyrone 1-13 You didn't think they would go and do it again, did you? Not this time. The green and red couldn't spread themselves this far after a week like that in a season like this. Let us introduce you once more to the magical legend that is Mayo. Tyrone were stunned in this All-Ireland SFC Group 1 clash by a dominant away side. Mayo captain Paddy Durcan was to the fore in an awesome display and finished with three points. They held a star-studded attack to 1-6 from play. Davitt Neary was outstanding off the bench, bringing an enormous dose of bedlam as required. The winners were a team that arrived after a devastating Connacht final loss and a shocking defeat at home against Cavan. It was also a week that saw their manager forced to step back for the immediate future and a remarkable county board meeting that included curious details about the living quarters of senior players. Put simply, the vibes were bad. Tyrone's realm was the antithesis. Malachy O'Rourke's side recently secured a statement victory over Donegal. This week's U20 triumph was the latest flex by an underage production line that is the envy of the country. But, crucially, they were playing Mayo. Since when have they ever followed the script? So what if the win still leaves them needing a result against Donegal? Madness is hardwired into their makeup. As the lights flickered on in Healy Park and young patrons flooded the pitch for their half-time kickabout, Mayo led 1-9 to 0-4 and were full value for every point. The goal was fortunate, no doubt. A multi-minute countdown to the hooter eventually finished with a Bob Tuohy dropping shot. Niall Morgan failed to deal with it and Darren McHale took advantage. Cue a lashing. As soon as the whistle sounded, O'Rourke called his team into a huddle on the field and let them have it. It was the start that the visitors sorely needed; chaos. Mayo's Stephen Rochford celebrates a late score. Pic: James Crombie/Inpho A turnover followed by a turnover followed by a turnover followed by a Mark Bradley wide. Michael McKernan eventually kicked Tyrone off the mark but they were unable to score again until the 19th minute and only mustered eight shots in the entire half. Stephen Rochford had a plan. The anticipated swatch of late changes meant Sean Morohan came in to tackle Mark Bradley with Jack Coyne taking Darragh Canavan and Enda Hession on Darren McCurry. Paddy Durcan brought a much-needed burst to the half-back line; Conal Dawson and Bob Tuohy injected a degree of athleticism as half-forwards. Rory Brickenden was freed up from inside defensive duties and got forward for two early points. They kicked long to Jack Carney inside, earning a free for Ryan O'Donoghue. Jack Carney watched as Paddy Durcan's shot was blocked down and leapt on the break for a second tap over kick. David McBrien hounded Conn Kilpatrick as part of an immense defensive effort. Tyrone's second-half response duly arrived in the form of a right-foot dance by Canavan who soloed through and slotted past Colm Reape. Midway through the second half, the margin was just one as Niall Morgan boomed over a two-point free. Enter Neary. He turned over a short kickout for a Durcan score. He won a free for O'Donoghue. He dived on Shea O'Hare's boot for a stand-rousing block. Finally, the Breaffy man surged and forced Liam Gray into a foul for a penalty. As the clock ticked down and the home support wilted away, 34-year-old Aidan O'Shea continued to power around the field. He hit their second-last point. Corner-back Coyne came forward to help the score difference even more. Surprised? Why? This is what they do. Scorers for Tyrone: D. Canavan 1-3 (2 frees); N. Morgan 0-4 (2 tpf); D. McCurry 0-2 (1 free); M. Donnelly, B. McDonnell, M. McKernan, K. McGeary 0-1 each. Scorers for Mayo: R. O'Donoghue 1-6 (1-0 pen, 0-5 frees); D. McHale 1-0; P. Durcan 0-3; R. Brickenden 0-2; C. Dawson 0-2; A. O'Shea, C. Reape (45) J. Carney, J. Coyne 0-1 each. Tyrone: N. Morgan; C. Quinn, P. Teague, N. Devlin; M. McKernan, R. Brennan, K. McGeary; B. McDonnell, C. Kilpatrick; S. O'Donnell, M. Donnelly, C. Daly; D. McCurry, M. Bradley, D. Canavan. Subs: S. O'Hare for O'Donnell, L. Gray for Brennan (both half-time); P. Harte for Bradley, R. Canavan for Daly (both 47); A. Donaghy for McDonnell (61). Mayo: C. Reape; J. Coyne, S. Morahan, E. Hession; R. Brickenden, S. Coen, P. Durcan; D. McBrien, M. Ruane; C. Dawson, D. McHale, B. Tuohy; J. Carney, A. O'Shea, R. O'Donoghue. Subs: D. Neary for McHale, J. Flynn for Tuohy (both 52); F. Kelly for Dawson (55); F. Boland for Ruane (64), S. Callinan for Durcan (67). Referee: D. Coldrick (Meath).
Sunday World
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Sunday World
Rocky's pub in Castlebar will leave you floored with knockout pints at just €5.50
There was a brilliant atmosphere throughout our stay and the stone interior walls are a lovely feature too. We went a few rounds in Rocky's bar WE haven't been to Castlebar since 2018, so our Commandos were particularly looking forward to our latest outing. The six-hour round trip isn't ideal, but the plan was to have enough porter so we could sleep all the way home. We accomplished that mission, thankfully. We've never done a proper count but there must be more than 20 pubs in this ever-expanding town and we've yet to find a bad one — a nice claim to fame for the area. Our designated driver found a parking spot on New Antrim Street and a very short stroll later we found ourselves at the front door of Rocky's pub on Linenhall Street. The bouncer opened the door for us and welcomed us in, and as we stepped inside we realised the pub was thriving. There was a mixed clientele of all ages and at least four staff behind the counter at all times. Our Commandos stood at one of the high tables about two metres from the counter as we tried to place our order, but it did take some time as it was extremely busy. 'You wouldn't get this in Temple Bar,' the Young Commando joked with one of the locals. 'And you'd be served much quicker too,' he said with a grin. 'You probably would but you'd pay €10 for a pint of slop,' the local bar-fly replied. When we finally did get served, the creamy pints of stout set us back €5.50, an increase from the €4.20 we paid in Castlebar seven years ago, while pints of Carlsberg were €5.80. They serve food in this pub between Friday and Sunday from 1pm while they also host live music from Thursday to Sunday. The wine-coloured leather barstools were in good condition and the timber flooring was spotlessly clean despite it being extremely busy during our visit. The green and red coloured glass windows didn't surprise us as the Mayo folks are some of the most loyal sports fans in the country. However, it wasn't a great weekend from a sporting point of view, with the senior footballers losing to Kerry in Croke Park and Castlebar hosting the Munster victory over Connacht in front of 25,000 fans in McHale Park. 'A poor result but it was great to see 25,000 people pour into Castlebar to watch the game,' one local told us. 'They should tour the province while they're waiting on the stadium to be redeveloped, a great way to promote the game,' he continued Elsewhere, a Mayo jersey hangs just inside the front door and a photo of the Mayo ladies team that won the 2023 Connacht championship hangs behind the counter. As our team of Commandos took in the atmosphere around the place, they also came across a second Mayo jersey worn by Paddy Durcan in 2023, and an Ireland soccer jersey signed by Katie Taylor, Usain Bolt and former Ireland manager Giovanni Trappatoni. 'I'd trade all that for the All-Star jersey worn by Willie Joe Padden,' the Old Commando said. 'One of the all time greats,' he informed us. There was a brilliant atmosphere throughout our stay and the stone interior walls are a lovely feature too. Another local, who was bending the Old Commando's ear, told him that this was 'an old man's pub' and 'very small' at one point but had been completely revamped in recent years. As expected, the toilets passed the test. We loved Rocky's pub and we'd definitely recommend a visit if you're heading down that direction anytime in the future. Rating: Four pints out of Five One for the road: The Rendezvous – Balla, Co Mayo It's been nine years since Pub Spy last stopped off in Balla for a pint but we had a wonderful time on our recent trip to The Rendezvous and we're already looking forward to our next visit already. The pub was packed when we arrived but we managed to get seats and huddled around the large stove. The red-leather bench seating was very comfy and there was a brilliant atmosphere among the mixed clientele, which ranged from young to elderly. There are at least five TVs and a large projection screen, a dart board and a pool table. The barman was friendly and pulled a nice pint of stout, but they also have Heineken Zero, Orchard Thieves, Birra Moretti and Rockshore cider available on draught. The toilets contained two cubicles and a stainless steel urinal and the Young Commando said they were very clean. We'll be sure to call again. Rating: Three pints out of Five
