Mayo footballers go into Christmas with the proud - if unlikely - distinction of being the final competitive winners of a century of inter-county activity. By the end of yesterday's postponed NFL Division One B clash at Castlebar, the home side had recorded a deserved victory over Kildare.
The goal which separated the teams on the scoreboard came in the 32nd minute and was fittingly the turning point of a match which was earnestly contested in conditions which, if better than might be expected for this time of the year, gave little assistance to the teams.
A cold but bright and sunny afternoon could not tempt more than about 1,500 people away from their various seasonal tasks which occupy the community at large six days before Christmas. Whereas the weather was pleasant enough, the pitch provided a glutinous surface on which players frequently struggled to exercise any control over the ball.
Mayo were forced into a number of changes with Kevin Cahill, Alan Roche and Stephen Carolan all dropping out for a variety of reasons. They were replaced by Alan Costello, Stephen Rochford and Michael Moyles.
It was something of a surprise that despite losing the excellent Cahill and the promising Roche from a defence which had already been deprived of Kenneth Mortimer, the back six played extremely well.
Unfortunately for manager Pat Holmes, there was no compelling evidence that much-needed forward cover was emerging to complement the established defensive riches. Best in the sector was Kevin O'Neill who was the afternoon's leading scorer with 0-6, including three from play. Furthermore he got onto a good deal of ball and used it well.
Otherwise the attack was not hectic and although chances were created they were treated with the cavalier profligacy all too familiar to the county's long-suffering supporters. Especially in the second half when a good number of opportunities presented themselves, kicking was wayward.
Such extravagance is no stranger to Kildare, even to their newcomers who had the winning of the previous league match against Derry.
Yesterday was not a great deal better with Karl O'Dwyer managing four wides before half time and Tadhg Fennin whose scoring has been impressive to date emulating that total over the full match.
Mick O'Dwyer's team didn't come into this match as the most enthusiastic participants but even if they were living it rather than loving it, Kildare looked in the driving seat as the interval approached.
They had been forced into one change with Damien Crinnigan, son of former All Star goalkeeper Ollie, coming in on the wing in place of Colm O'Reilly. Nonetheless once they had absorbed Mayo's lively start which saw them trail 0-3 to 0-1 after six minutes, Kildare looked more composed and threatening.
Captain Glen Ryan cut the deficit in the 10th minute with a long, rallying solo and point and Fennin's free equalised a minute later. By this stage Kildare's forward movement was more fluid. Ryan's flankers David Hughes and Michael Wright were getting up the field and Anthony Rainbow's thrusts from centre field caused problems for Mayo.
Star turn in the forwards was Cathal Sheridan. The former Meath player returned 0-5, all but one from play, and threatened havoc any time he was in possession. Two of his best chances saw him in behind Mayo's defence but he unambitiously took points.
There was not a great deal in the match on the half-hour but the trend was towards Kildare and they led 0-7 to 0-5. Two minutes later, however, the match changed with Mayo's goal coming against the run of play.
Ironically it had its origins in a fine piece of blocking by Ryan on O'Neill. The ball spun into Kieran McDonald who under pressure deflected it into the path of Michael Moyles and his finish was crisp and emphatic for a 1-5 to 0-7 interval lead.
Mayo opened out the lead after half time with two points from O'Neill and thereafter Kildare struggled to stay in touch. Pat Fallon played well and worked hard as the home team tightened their grip on centre field. Consequently Mayo were comfortably able to maintain their lead at a couple of points at least.
One opportunity which might have made a difference fell to Terry Rossiter in the 47th minute. Ryan's long ball into Sheridan set up the attack and the next pass sent Rossiter in on goal but the Mayo cover swallowed him and in the follow-up Fennin kicked wide.
There were good chances at the other end with Mayo's David Nestor - spirit willing as ever but flesh a bit weaker than usual - weaving in on goal but being blocked in the 65th minute and then in injury-time drawing a fine save from Enda Murphy. O'Neill pointed the rebound for the final margin of 1-10 to 0-10.
On a humorous note, Sheridan's 68th-minute free rose high into the sky. This had the effect of nearly blinding the umpires trying to keep track of it. One looked at the other who looked back equally blankly before the attempt was signalled wide. The GAA was ready for the new millennium.
MAYO: P Burke; S Rochford, A Costello, A Higgins; D Higgins, J Nallen, N Connelly; D Heaney, P Fallon; M Moyles (1-0), K O'Neill (0-6, three frees), E Lavelle; K Filan, K McDonald (0-2), D Nestor (0-1). Subs: J Gill for Filan (40 mins); R Loftus (0-1) for Heaney (50 mins); S Carolan for McDonald (70 mins).
KILDARE: E Murphy; B Lacey, R Quinn, D Maher; D Hughes, G Ryan (0-1), M Wright; A Rainbow, P Winders (0-1); D Crinnigan, K O'Dwyer, J Doyle; T Rossiter, C Sheridan (0-5, one free), T Fennin (0-3, all frees). Subs: R Sweeney for Rossiter (48 mins); G Keane for Crinnigan (64 mins).
Referee - M McGrath (Donegal).
