Mayo Under-14 'B' Championship Semi-Final (Monday, 10-August-98)

Mayo Gaels.........5-10
Lahardane...........0-8

A devastating display of midfield mastery from Mayo Gaels' Danny Burke left Lahardane reeling in Parke on Monday night. The athletic number eight netted three goals in a power-packed performance which the North Mayo side couldn't repel despite some quality football by their captain Pat Rowland.

Burke's hat-trick arrived olnly after full forward, Paul McGing, had set the South Mayo kingpins on the road to victory with a brace of goals within the opening twelve minutes. First McGing finished emphatically a move involving Gary Brett and Derek Ruane, before latching onto an error by Lahardane keeper, Brian Sheridan, to slot home from close range.

Gaels led by 2-2 to 0-2 when Burke struck the first of his three, a truly magnificent goal. He fielded unchallenged 35 yards out before finding the top right hand corner from 25 yards. After his team led 3-5 to 0-4 at the break, the same player added a fourth goal within a minute of the restart, carrying the ball into the danger area before driving home a shot which took a deflection en route to the net.

Lahardane were spirited throughout and continued to apply the correct principles. The efforts of Joe Mulhern, Pat Rowland, Niamh Leonard and Kevin Ruttledge were rewarded with three further points for Rowland and a magnificent pointed free by his midfield partner, David Marley, whose striking of the ball was superb.

However, with Jonathan Walsh and Declan Gibbons also getting on the scoreboard, Mayo Gaels continues to dominate and Burke rounded off a strong showing with a fine individual goal with three minutes remaining.

Lahardane: B. Sheridan, A. Kelly, P. Gilger, B. Leonard, M. Naughton, P. Corcoran, J. Mulhern, P. Rowland (0-6); D. Marley (0-2); M. Walsh, P. Coleman, N. Leonard, P. Maloney, J. Rowland, K. Ruttledge.
Sub.: S. Rowland (for M. Walsh).

Ref.: M. Corcoran.