So, Mayo are into another All-Ireland final, beating Tipp 2-13 to 0-14. But Christ, did they make hard work of it.
Although Mayo fans will be grateful that they are in the final after the way their side started the game. Hitting six wides in the first twenty-five minutes, Mayo looked slow and sluggish until an excellent goal from Jason Doherty set them on a purple patch from which Tipp never really recovered. The Premier County weren't helped by a controversial black card decision against centre-back Robbie Kiely.
Like he's been doing for years, Andy Moran, the evergreen stalwart of the Mayo attack, was driving them on through some seriously nervy spells. The praise towards Moran spilled out of the keyboards of Mayo's long-suffering fans as well as a former adversary or two.
Andy Moran just brilliant first half ... Delighted for him #mayovtipp #33ageonlyanumber
— Eamonn O’ Hara (@EamonnOHara8) August 21, 2016
Andy moran our stand out so far keep giving him the ball .... Tipp mistakes are being punished every time #mayovtipp
— Conor.mortimer (😷)⚽️ (@Conmort) August 21, 2016
Andy Moran has been sensational so far, off left and right at his ease and absolutely pinging ball about the field... Joy to watch #Gaa
— MJ Tierney (@Mjtierney13) August 21, 2016
Two words..... ANDY MORAN..... Is he even human? What a performance, keep her lit now #mayogaa @MayoGAA @MayoClub51 @mayogaabanter 👊
— Shane Mulchrone (@shanemulchrone) August 21, 2016
Moran chipped in with four points before being substituted around the 62nd minute.
Meanwhile, as the game wore on and slipped away from their side, Tipp fans gradually accepted their fate-but only when their side was truly dead and buried. There was always that faint glimmer of hope in the back of their minds, until Mayo really went through the gears. At half-time and just after, hope still reigned.
Tipp man just told me "We're taking the sticks out of the boot for the second half"
— Eoin Butler (@eoinbutler) August 21, 2016
53,212 in @CrokePark today. Sounds like way more with the fantastic @TipperaryGAA support around me #tippvmayo
— Stephen Gleeson (@StephenGleeson_) August 21, 2016
But a valient year came to an end for Tipp, and while they can be very proud of their display, there was the lingering feeling both that Tipp slightly underperformed-they hit nine wides-and that Dublin or Kerry won't be fearing Mayo in the final.
Mayo always good for a goal outta nothing. Tipp haven't even threatened one today. Shame
— Stephen Doyle (@dubsoulrebel) August 21, 2016
Neither #Dublin nor #Kerry will be having too many sleepless nights worrying about #Mayo based on this performance.#tippvmayo #GAA
— Dara de Brún (@DaraDeBrun) August 21, 2016
