MAYO 2-16 KERRY 0-17
Shane Enright will be twisting and turning in his sleep for weeks to come.
Andy Moran is listed as 1.78m metres [5-foot-8] and just over 13-stone in the Mayo GAA pen pics. He is small in stature and ain’t no doubt about it.
In a game that is increasingly turning to the big, broad power athletes, Moran is bucking the trend. As a 33-year-old in a game populated by twentysomethings, Moran is somewhat of an anomaly.
Much of the talk in the lead-up to the All-Ireland semi final replay between Mayo and Kerry was the tactics for marking Kieran Donaghy. As it turned out, Donaghy was well marshalled while Moran ran amok.
Moran was one of the first Mayo players to slot over a point as Stephen Rochford’s men made the early running. When Kerry responded in scoring kind, his evasiveness won a handy free that Cillian O’Connor slotted over.
Enright was retained in the Kingdom defence despite giving up 1-6 to Moran last weekend. The Ballaghaderreen man did not register those scoring heights again but his contribution was massive.
Leading 1-9 to 0-7, early in the second half, Moran drove the dagger home. Getting out ahead of Enright, Moran soared as he claimed a high ball and was turning as he landed, ready to drive forward.
Passes were exchanged with Cillian O’Connor before he deposited the ball past Bryan Kelly. Enright was hooked less than three minutes later.
Andy Moran scores Mayo's second goal – Can Kerry come back? Watch now on The Saturday Game Live @RTEOne #rtegaa pic.twitter.com/1SQWFYzcHJ
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) August 26, 2017
Fionn Fitzgerald was placed on Moran duty for the remainder but he was similarly plagued, giving away a couple of costly frees.
There was speculation, last October, that Moran would hang up his boots after his county had lost the All-Ireland final replay in heart-breaking fashion. He ploughed on and committed himself to another hard winters’ slog.
Mayo fans are grateful for it. They are grateful for him.
