Cora Stuanton Points Out 'Naïve' Error That Cost Mayo All-Ireland Knockout Place
After an afternoon full of drama, Mayo have been eliminated from the All-Ireland series as a result of their agonising one-point loss to Donegal at Dr Hyde Park this afternoon.
Donegal certainly had the better of the opening half. Despite playing against a considerable breeze, they would look like the much more dangerous attacking side and would eventually carry a three-point advantage into the interval.
While many would have expected the Ulster champions to win comfortably from that position, that was not the case.
Mayo would battle on for the entirety of the second half, with the contest going right down to the wire. In fact, Mayo thought they had snatched a last gasp draw, something that would have kept them in the championship.
However, there was more drama still to come.
What drama! Donegal break Mayo hearts after the hooter - Cavan come third, the Green and Red are finished for 2025
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With Tyrone defeating Cavan in the other round robin game, this win meant Donegal would finish second in the group and are now faced with a preliminary quarter-final next weekend.
As for Mayo, their summer has come to a premature end.
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Cora Stuanton Points Out 'Naïve' Error That Cost MayoDonegal showed quite the degree of bravery in going for that winning score at the death. A draw would have been enough to secure their spot in the next round, although they were keen to come away with two points from this fixture.
From a Mayo perspective, there was a sense of naivety with the manner in which they coughed up that winning point.
Speaking on RTÉ, Cora Staunton said that a failure to manage the game at that point cost the Connacht side dearly.
I think Mayo will look back. When Patton kicked the ball out, there was seven seconds left.
All Mayo needed to do there was give away a foul or do something to help get the 11 behind the ball.
It was pretty naïve in a way. It reminds me of last year, we had a kick-out and gave away a score in the end.
It's heartbreak for Mayo....
I think Mayo should have been more prepared in terms of the kick-out. Something had to be fouled there, or the kick-out needed to be contested.
An early foul certainly would have gone a long way towards stopping Donegal from getting that winning score, keeping Mayo in the championship as a result.
Mayo will now have a long summer to reflect on their shortcomings over the last few weeks.
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