The Longford senior hurlers suffered their first defeat of the season at Castlebar when they went down to a superior Mayo outfit by four points in this NHL Division 3A clash at Castlebar. By Ray Donlon Mayo 2-11 Longford 2-7 Poor finishing from Longford and some lacklustre defending cost Tom Lynam's charges the points in the end after an evenly contested encounter played out in front of less than 50 supporters at the Mayo grounds. Longford, who missed a number of close range scoring chances in the opening 35 minutes, trailed at the half-time break by three points with the visitors opening their account in the 2nd minute when Ciaran Finnucane landed over a good effort from play. However, the home side replied when notching the next two points on the trot with Pierce Higgins (1) and their chief marksman Adrian Freeman (2) slotting over three well taken points while a raid down the left saw John Hogan cross for Kenneth Robinson to flick home Mayo's first goal. Kevin Healy was on the mark in the 19th minute when he sent over their fourth point of the contest. Longford settled the nerves in the 21st minute, which saw Brian Stakelum land in a good ball to Eoin Donnellan who connected with the lose ball and knocked it to the back of the Mayo net. Both sides exchanged well struck points before half-time with Sean Broderick and Adrian Freeman shooting over well taken points from frees while Gareth Ghee play and Sean Browne (a well struck '65') notching Longford's remaining first half points with saw the boys' in 'blue and gold' down by three a the break. The home side opened the account after the changeover with Derek McConn notching a well struck '65' while Adrian Freeman pointed a good effort from play. Longford came back into the game with a good rally mid-way through the second half with three points on the trot coming from Ciaran Finnucane, Sean Browne (free) and Gareth Ghee - another well taken free. However, Mayo's onslaught continued when Stephen Coyne rattled the ball to the back of the Longford net after a direct mistake from Longford's defence. Mayo's top scorer on the day Adrian Freeman was on the mark once again moments later when he landed over a well taken point from free. Longford, who kept their heads throughout the contest and battled against the elements when Brian Stakelum was bang on target in the 66th minute when he flicked the ball to the roof of the net when bringing it back to a three point contest. However, the home consolidated their grip on the game with further points from Adrian Hession and Adrian Freeman, which saw them ahead by six points with time almost up. And, a late point from Longford substitution Mark Cassidy wasn't enough as Longford suffered their first defeat of the season. Mayo - Tomas Duffy; Derek Walsh, John Duffy, Shane Morley; Conor Ryan, Padraig Barrett, Gerard Whyte; Kevin Healy (0-1), Stephen Coyne (1-0); Pierce Higgins (0-1), Stephen Broderick (0-1, free), Derek McConn (0-1, '65'); Adrian Freeman (0-6, four from frees), Kenneth Robinson (1-0), Andrew Howard. Subs - Seamus Hogan for C. Ryan (injured, 5 mins); Paul Broderick for K. Robinson (50 mins); Adrian Hession (0-1) for A. Howard (58 mins). Yellow cards - P. Higgins replaced by Paul McConn (50 mins); S. Coyne replaced by Sean Kelly (63 mins). Longford - Brian Kirby (Wolfe Tones); Fergal Daly (Clonguish), Tomas Stakum (Wolfe Tones), Liam Hayes (Longford Slashers); Brian Stakelum (Longford Slashers), Brian Stakum (Wolfe Tones, 1-0), Damien Corcoran (Clonguish); Sean Browne (Wolfe Tones, 0-2, one free, one '65'), Martin Coyle (Wolfe Tones); Gareth Ghee (Longford Slashers, 0-2, one free), Joe O'Brien (Clonguish), Ciaran Finnucane (Clonguish, 0-2); Eoin Donnellan (Ballymahon, 1-0), John Newman (Longford Slashers), John Minnock (Clonguish). Subs - Robbie Stakelum (Longford Slashers) for E. Donnellan, Hugh O'Kane (Longford Slashers) for J. Newman, Paddy Cullen (Wolfe Tones) for J. Minnock (all 50 mins); Mark Cassidy (Wolfe Tones, 0-1) for M. Coyle, Stephen Lynam (Wolfe Tones) for L. Hayes (both 63 mins). Referee - Tommy Holian (Galway). Tweet

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