ALL-IRELAND SFC QUALIFIERS: Mayo had to show a lot of qualities, not least calmness in the face of adversity, to survive against underdogs who seemingly did not know the meaning of the word at Dr Hyde Park in Roscommon on Saturday.
What transpired was a difficult time for Mayo and a defeat for Limerick for which they need feel no shame.
Written into the script to play a supporting role, the Munster challengers had their hearts and minds set on greater things. They started in a state of stage fright and remained scoreless for 13 minutes, during which time their worst fears crystalised as Mayo streaked away into a four-point lead.
What happened subsequently was a harrowing experience for the Connacht team. Michael Reidy, having sent two nervous attempts wide of the posts, slotted Limerick's opening point from a 40-metre free after 13 minutes and from that moment the match took flight as a contest.
Stunned by Limerick's new-found fire and determination, Mayo retreated into playing a cautious game and managed to score only one further first-half point, from a free by Conor Mortimer. The same player, along with David Heaney and James Horan, had contributed to the initial four-point flurry in less that 10 minutes.
Time and again in the second quarter Mayo were let off the hook. Stephen Kelly had a seemingly goalbound shot blocked by Mayo goalkeeper Peter Burke, and Stephen Lavin clearly demonstrated the spirit of the Limerick men by going on a burst down the right wing only to see his shot go barely wide. Reidy also had another shot that whizzed by a post.
Mayo could not produce anything to compare with this during the second quarter. "We lived on the edge for the last 20 minutes of the first half and we were so poor during that period," said Mayo manager Pat Holmes.
When Limerick's goal came a couple of minutes from half-time it was just reward for an impressive display that should have yielded more.
Jason Stokes started the move down the left, and linked up with the industrious Conor Mullane. When Mullane's initial shot was somehow kept out by Burke, Stokes followed up to lash the goalkeeper's parry to the net. Fittingly, Mullane tacked on a Limerick point for a 1-5 to 0-5 half-time advantage.
Running repairs became an urgent priority for Holmes during the interval and by far his best move was to introduce David Brady at midfield. Tom Nallen, who had figured at full back in that first half in a straight swop with David Heaney, was called ashore. Horan added to the strength of the Mayo midfield diamond by moving out from the corner.
With Limerick's John Galvin and John Quane giving masterly midfield displays, the Mayo midfield sector had to be revamped, and the changes worked, as Holmes's men went about dealing with the three-point deficit in a cool and collected way. The Mayo manager's key message for his players at half-time had been not to panic.
The points began to flow for Mayo; Conor and Trevor Mortimer, Horan (two) and Colm McManamon had them on level terms 17 minutes into the half, even with Limerick scoring points through Pat Ahern and Michael Reidy. Ahern restored the lead for Limerick, but Brian Maloney equalised for Mayo.
James Gill took over the place- kicking duties after Conor Mortimer was forced out with an injury and the Westport player gave Mayo the lead for the first time since the 18th minute with six minutes remaining of an intriguing match. Brady tacked on another point in injury-time and the best Limerick could do in response was a pointed free in the third minute of injury-time by Michael Reidy.
Limerick's lack of experience saw them commit numerous unforced errors, the worst of all coming when the mighty John Galvin took on the whole of the Mayo defence only to gift Mayo wing back Aidan Higgins the ball just as the winning goal seemed imminent.
Limerick manager Liam Kearns was hopeful for the future. "Experience told in the end, but we have learned a lot this year, have beaten good teams. We will be applying the lessons learnt when we come back stronger than ever next year," he said.
HOW THEY LINED OUT
MAYO: 1 P Burke; 17 P Coyle, 19 T Nallen, 4 G Ruane; 5 A Roche, 6 J Nallen, 7 A Higgins; 8 D Tiernan, 3 D Heaney; 10 J Gill, 28 M McNicholas, 12 T Mortimer; 13 C Mortimer, 14 B Maloney, 15 J Horan. Subs: D Brady for T Nallen (half-time); C McManaman for McNicholas (45 mins); M Moyles for C Mortimer (61 mins).
Booked: A Roche, D Tiernan, J Gill, M McNicholas, B Maloney.
LIMERICK: 1 S O'Donnell; 2 M Riordan; 3 D Sheehy; 4 T Stack; 5 S Lavin; 6 S Lucey, 7 D Reidy; 8 J Quane, 9 J Galvin; 27 P Ahern, 11 C Fitzgerald, 12 C Mullane; 13 S Kelly, 14 J Stokes, 15 M Reidy. Subs: J Murphy for S Kelly (58 mins).
Booked: M Riordan, D Reidy.
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