Connacht League: A superb performance by Mayo's defence played a major part in their one-point victory over IT Sligo in this gripping encounter at Ballynode yesterday.
The sides were level at 0-7 apiece when the experienced Marty McNicholas pounced to drill the ball past IT goalkeeper Paul Durcan to set the visitors up for victory.
Robert Fahey opened the scoring with a Mayo point after less than a minute and John Maughan's men were four points in front before Michael Doherty opened the home side's account in the 17th minute.
Doherty's accuracy from frees brought the students back into the game before Fahey pointed to give Mayo a 0-6 to 0-5 half-time lead. Alan Costello squared the match in the second half but Mayo's defence kept the IT forwards at bay.
MAYO: D Clarke; T Howley, P Kelly, L O'Malley; A Moran, A Roche, G Mullins; R Fahey (0-2), J Nallen; J Gill, A Dillon (0-5), N Lydon (0-1); M Conroy (0-2), M McNicholas (1-0), E Gallagher. Subs: D Munnelly for Lydon, J Kilcullen for Fahey, T Lydon for O'Malley, D Sloyan for McNicholas, C Forde for Gallagher.
IT SLIGO: P Durcan; K Lacey, K Higgins, P Brady; S McDermott, J Murphy (0-1), E McGee; R O'Connor, M Moyles; A Costello (0-3), C Toye, A Moran; D Moran, M Doherty (0-4), J Glancy. Subs: D Ward (0-2) for McDermott, D Gallagher (0-2) for D Moran.
Referee: E O'Grady (Leitrim)
