Tom Parsons was Mayo's man of the match after a pulsating victory over Tyrone.
Mayo arrived in Omagh knowing that Cavan's draw with Kerry rendered them level with the relegation places, but Parsons' goal - the only goal of the game - and another crucial intervention from the Charlestown Sarsfields midfielder at the death helped Stephen Rochford's men to a crucial victory in Division 1.
Parsons beat Niall Morgan with a sublime low finish in the first half, but equally important was his thunderous hit on Seán Cavanagh at a crucial juncture in the game. His side trailing by a single point after a beautiful Kevin McLoughlin effort, the Tyrone talisman caught a pass deep in Mayo territory. Parsons telegraphed it, however, and put Cavanagh to deck with a monstrous shoulder before reclaiming possession from Cavanagh on the floor. Tyrone didn't get another chance to level the scores, and Mayo emerged victorious by the slenderest of margins.
It was the sort of psychologically rousing moment which, when combined with a game's only goal, guarantees a man of the match award in such a tight game. Parsons was more than deserving of his gong, however, and gave a refreshingly honest interview to TG4 after the game, devoid of platitudes and clichés, unlike so many in similar circumstances.
Although, judging by the young fan in his fathers' arms left of Parsons as we watch him, he won't be welcome back in Omagh any time soon.
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Special praise was reserved for Parsons' display during the 75 or so minutes, however, as Mayo moved clear of relegation worries with a hard-fought victory.
For a Mayo team that's not scoring goals, that's a great goal by Tom Parsons.
— Kieran Cunningham (@KCsixtyseven) March 26, 2017
Superb shoulder from Tom Parsons. #mayogaa
— Christopher Duffy (@killawallachris) March 26, 2017
@TomParsons_8 some man for one man
— Kevin Barrett (@wensamsuun) March 26, 2017
Tom Parsons though. 👏 👏👏👏 Absolute beast of a man
— Sean (@ALotOfFormers) March 26, 2017
Massive hit and stop Tom Parsons
— Kealan (@kealyk3) March 26, 2017
What a hit by @TomParsons_8 ! Absolutely titanic! Thirty seconds left, the ball is with @MayoGAA https://t.co/Jp9hV1BY1U
— Mid West Radio (@radiomidwest) March 26, 2017
