Mayo’s Kevin McLoughlin scored a late, late winner for Mayo at Healy Park on Sunday to snatch the points for the westerners in a game from which Tyrone deserved at least a draw.
Playing possibly his last competitive inter county game at the venue Tyrone’s Sean Cavanagh thought he had earned a last minute chance for his team to tie the game only for referee Conor Lane to indicate he was awarding a free against the big Moy man.
It was a frustrating day for Tyrone who kicked three opportunities into the goalkeeper’s arms and registered fifteen wides over the course of a match where they found it extremely difficult to convert chances into scores.
After a tight first half that saw Niall Sludden and Lee Keegan black-carded Mayo reached the break leading 1-6 to 0-8 with their goal well finished by influential midfielder Tom Parsons.
Tyrone created numerous chances after the break but once again the lack of scores cost them dearly.
Defensively the Red Hands were solid with Cathal Mc Carron, Paidi Hampsey and Aidan Mc Crory particularly prominent.
However it is scores that win games and deep in injury time Mc Loughlin landed his team’s winning point after Mattie Donnelly was turned over close to the Mayo goal.
The defeat leaves Tyrone needing other results to go their way next weekend if they are to qualify for the league final this year.
Tyrone: N Morgan (0-01, f); P Hampsey, R McNamee, C McCarron; R McNabb, A McCrory, T McCann (0-01); C Cavanagh, M Donnelly, K McGeary (0-02), N Sludden (0-01), P Harte; M Bradley (0-03), S Cavanagh (0-02, 1f), D McCurry (0-02).
Subs: C Meyler for Sludden (BC 15), C McShane for McNamee (52), H Loughran for McNabb (55), J Munroe for McCrory (68)
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