O'SHEA HELPS 'PATCHY' MAYO OVER THE LINE

THERE were mixed emotions in Castlebar at the end of a championship battle that leaned one way and then the other.

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Mayo were delighted to have won but were left frustrated after what their manager Kevin McStay described as “patchy performance.”

Sligo were hugely disappointed to have lost, but immensely proud of the fact that had the red-hot favourites hanging on for dear life at the end.

Mayo had enjoyed a nine-point lead in the final quarter but a late Sligo surge closed the gap to three with little over a minute to play and if it wasn't for the excellent performance of Aidan O'Shea the home side might have been defeated by the Yeats men in Castlebar for the first time since 1975.

O'Shea was impressive from first whistle to last also bringing his attacking colleagues into the game time after time.

The guests refused to be overawed by their lofty hosts and were bitterly disappointed when the final hooter sounded and three points still between the teams.

Afterwards, their manager Tony McEntee said he was immensely proud of his players.

“While today is a defeat, we can look at it, learn and grow. And while disappointed now, we will get over it quickly.