Mayo outfox donegal

LEE Keegan was named man of the match as Mayo powered past Donegal in the All-Ireland SFC quarterfinal at Croke Park this evening. The wing-back scored 1-2 as Mayo won by 2-13 to 0-11 with an impressive display.

Starting with Barry Moran instead of namesake Andy, the Castlebar Mitchels player was utilised as a sweeper as Mayo sought to stifle the Donegal twin towers of Michael Murphy and Colm McFadden.

At the other end, Aidan O'Shea was a handful all game for Donegal full-back Neil McGee - who eventually had to depart the field due to injury - and it was the Mayo full-forward's goal moments before the half time whistle that gave his side a four-point advantage for the start of the second half on a 1-7 to 0-6 scoreline.

When Keegan looped a shot into the Donegal net for the first score of the second half it gave Mayo a sizeable advantage that they wouldn't relinquish. It looked suspiciously as if Keegan was going for a point but the flight of the ball deceived the Donegal 'keeper and found the inside of the post.

Now 2-7 to 0-6 in front, Mayo kept their opponents at arm's length for the remainder of the game and ran out convincing eight-point winners.

The only downside for Mayo was a red card for Kevin Keane following an incident with Michael Murphy just minutes after the Westport man had entered the fray for Ger Cafferkey, who had a fine game marking the Donegal danger man.

Mayo will return to Croke Park on August 30 to face Leinster champions Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final. In the other last-four game, reigning All-Ireland champions Kerry take on Tyrone, who defeated Monaghan in a match played before the Mayo v Donegal encounter this afternoon.