Mayo came from seven behind to claim a draw against Dublin in a pulsating All-Ireland senior football semi-final this afternoon.
A late rally from the westerners where they scored 1-4 without reply left Dublin stunned, but perhaps feeling a bit relieved that they will live to fight another day.
Cillian O’Connor’s 69th minute goal from a penalty after Colm Boyle was fouled proved to be a crucial score, before substitute Andy Moran hit the point that brought things level.
A HUGE moment as Mayo slot a penalty home, then pull level straight afterwards #DUBvMAY http://t.co/IEPq6r1FSr pic.twitter.com/T5DzSHECd7
— Newstalk Sport (@NewstalkSport) August 30, 2015
In a game that had its fair share of hard hits Dublin finished the game with 14 men after Diarmuid Connolly received a straight red card following an off the ball incident involving Lee Keegan, with the Mayo man receiving a yellow.
It was Connolly who netted in the 5th minute from the penalty spot after four time all-star Paul Flynn was fouled on his way to goal. That goal being the difference as Dublin lead 1-7 to 0-7 at the break.
Dublin looked home and dry when Kevin McManamon grabbed their second goal in the 58th minute but Mayo kept fighting and the introduction of Barry Moran in the middle of the park caused the momentum to swing in favour of the Mayo men.
A goal for Dublin after a great save initially has given Mayo a hill to climb now #DUBvMAY pic.twitter.com/98jdBuNmId
— Newstalk Sport (@NewstalkSport) August 30, 2015
Dublin had the chance to clinch it as Cluxton stepped up to take a free, hoping to recreate his heroics of the 2011 final, but he was unable to convert it and hit it wide.
Next Saturday, hostilities will resume again as both sides will be back in Croke Park to see who will make the All-Ireland final this year.
Scorers for Dublin: Diarmuid Connolly 1-2 (1-0 pen, 0-1f), Kevin McManamon 1-1, Ciaran Kilkenny 0-3, Bernard Brogan, Paddy Andrews 0-2 each, Alan Brogan, Jack McCaffrey 0-1 each.
Scorers for Mayo: Cillian O’Connor 1-9 (0-8f, 0-1 ’45, 1-0 pen), Andy Moran 0-2, Alan Freeman, Keith Higgins, Lee Keegan, Diarmuid O’Connor 0-1 each.
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