James Horan's men tear Tyrone to shreds in power-packed display
Mayo ...................2-13
Tyrone .................0-10
JAMES Horan's Mayo recorded a great win over Mickey Harte's Tyrone in the second round of the National Football League played in Omagh today.
This second victory for Mayo in as many games leaves them sitting pretty at the top of the league along with Kerry.
Both Mayo and Kerry are the only two sides with a 100% record after two rounds with all the other six teams in the division having lost at least one of their two games.
Travelling to Omagh to play the Red Hands was always going to be a huge test for Horan's charges and the manager made three changes before the throw-in with Andy Moran, Michael Plunkett and Stephen Coen starting.
However, they produced a power-packed display before handing a nine-point to Harte's men.
This win will also send plenty of warnings to all the other counties that Mayo will be a major force this year, especially that the new young talent in the team are certainly taking their chance with open arms.
In the opening half Mayo really bossed their opponents in most areas of the field.
By the time the interval arrived they were full value for their seven-point lead, 1-7 to 0-3. In this half they scored some brilliant points with newcomer Fionn McDonagh, who had an outstanding game, accounting for two of them.
However, the crucial score of the half arrived in the 32nd minute when corner-back Keith Higgins who had joined the attack fired home a great goal after receiving an inch perfect pass from Andy Moran.
It was nothing more than Mayo deserved at this stage.
There was no let up from Mayo after the resumption and once McDonagh and Jason Doherty fired over fine points to put them nine clear there was little doubt the two valuable league points were hitting west.
It was fitting that it was McDonagh who capped off a great afternoon by scoring Mayo second goal 12 minutes from time.
Along with a host of the more experienced players having a great outing, McDonagh, Ciaran Treacy and Michael Plunkett were all superb.
It was also heartening to see Conor Diskin and Matthew Ruane enter the fray in the second-half
Now it is Cavan at home next Saturday night in round three where the county will again flock in big numbers hoping to see another encouraging performance from Horan's charges.
Mayo: R. Hennelly (0-2), S. Coen, B. Harrison, K. Higgins (1-0), P. Durcan (0-1), M. Plunkett, L Keegan, D. O’Connor, D. Vaughan, F. McDonagh (1-3), A. O’Shea, C. Treacy (0-2), A. Moran (0-2), B. Reape, J. Doherty (0-03).
Subs used: C. Diskin, K. McLoughlin, D. Drake, M. Ruane.
Tyrone: N. Morgan (0-1), M. McKernan, R. McNamee, H. McGeary, T. McCann, R. Brennan, M. Donnelly (0-1), B. Kennedy, D. McClure, P. Harte (0-3), N. Sludden, K. McGeary, D. McCurry (0-2), F. Burns, L. Brennan (0-2.
Subs used: C. Grugan (0-1), P. Hampey, K. Coney, C. McCann, C. Meyler.
Referee: J. McQuillan (Cavan).