Mayo FC record dramatic late victory

Connor McCarthy netted a dramatic late winner for Mayo FC as Anthony O’Neill’s troops recorded a 2-1 victory against Letterkenny Rovers in the FAI National League at Umbro Park, Milebush, Castlebar.

Mayo were eager to end their wretched losing run but Letterkenny Rovers almost fashioned the lead three minutes into the first half when a chance fell to Zach Gorman. However, his cross-cum-shot flew narrowly over Arran Boyle’s crossbar.

Mayo FC gradually settled into the game, with midfielder Aron Heaney beginning to get on a lot of ball in the middle of the park, always trying to find that vital pocket of space.

For long spells of the first half there was no real pattern to the game yet Letterkenny posed a real threat from Gorman, whose raking long-range throw-ins were proving problematic for the Mayo rearguard.

Connor McCarthy was a lively presence for Mayo and very nearly snatched the opening goal on 35 minutes, but his header was saved by Patrick McGarvey.

Mayo could well have conceded the opening goal on 38 minutes. A long-range throw-in from Gorman eventually found its way to Ryan Shields, but his attempted bicycle kick flashed inches wide.

Fifteen minutes into the second half the deadlock was broken when Sean McAteer guided home a perfectly placed penalty for Mayo, which was awarded after Heaney was fouled just inside the 18-yard box.

Mayo played some tidy football during the second half but their game plan appeared to have suffered a major setback when Letterkenny levelled matters on 85 minutes courtesy of Brendan McCafferty.

However, Mayo refused to settle for a point, and one minute into second injury time McCarthy’s perfectly placed header rustled the back of the net to secure a morale-boosting victory for the hosts.