COLUMN: Mayo learn hard lessons in League defeat to Kerry

Austin Stack Park in Tralee was a difficult experience for the Green and Red as they suffered their second Division One loss

Mayo and Kerry clashed in Round Six of the National Football League Division One in Austin Stack Park, Tralee. Pic: Sportsfile

GOING into this game, the feeling was that it was something of a free shot for Mayo. If they won, it would be a big scalp.

If they lost, it probably wouldn’t change a huge amount in the overall picture of the league.

In fact, some supporters might even have thought that dropping points in Tralee wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world if it meant avoiding the pressure of chasing a league final.

There were structural concerns too. The team had to make several changes in defence for this one, and when you start adjusting a settled backline, it inevitably affects balance and cohesion.

That was always going to make things difficult against a side as clinical as Kerry.

Still, the opening quarter gave plenty of encouragement.

Mayo won the toss and played with the wind, something they’ve become very used to in recent weeks. For the first 15 minutes, they looked comfortable.

The ball was kept in Kerry territory, possession was moved well, and Mayo were able to build scores from distance.

The two-pointer has clearly become a major part of their attacking game. Once again, it was a big feature.

Jordan Flynn opened the account, while Ryan O'Donoghue and Jack Carney also struck from outside the arc.

In isolation, that development has been hugely positive.

Mayo struggled badly with two-point shooting last season, but in this league campaign, there has been obvious work done on it.........

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