Shane Boland scored three points in injury time to secure win over Donegal. PHOTO: SPORTSFILE

Late flurry sees Mayo overcome Donegal

By Stuart Tynan

Mayo ended their recent woes over Donegal in thrilling fashion as they hit 1-4 in second-half injury time to win their opening game in the Nicky Rackard Cup on a scoreline of 2-14 to 0-17.

The Green and Red were fortunate to be only two points down at the first water break, with the hosts wasteful between the posts.

Donegal stretched their lead to five through scores by Declan Coulter, Richie Ryan, and Bernard Lafferty, but Mayo reduced the gap to one on the half hour mark with an effort by Shane Boland inside his own half and a goal from Adrian Phillips.

Donegal responded well to the setback and another point each from Richie Ryan and Declan Coulter, either side on a Shane Boland free, saw them lead 0-9 to 1-4 at half-time.

Mayo drew level for the first time with 44 minutes played through two scores from Shane Boland and a point from Eoin Delaney. The sides remained level going into the final quarter and three further efforts from Declan Coulter and singles from Richie Ryan and Ronan McDermott looked to have secured the win for Donegal going into added time.

But a bad mistake in the Donegal defence allowed Keith Higgins to fire into the net to draw the sides level once again. Shane Boland put Mayo in front for the first time in the third minute of injury-time, and fired over two frees to seal it in style.

Donegal: L. White, M. Callaghan, G. Brown, S. Gillespie, C. McDermott, S. McVeigh (0-1), M. Donoghue, J. O’Loughlin, R. Hiferty, N. Cleary (0-1), D. Coulter (0-9, 0-5f), R. Ryan (0-3), C. Mathewson, R. McDermott (0-1), B. Lafferty (0-2).

Subs: O. Grant, L. Henderson, S. McBride.

Mayo: B. Douglas, G. Nolan, M. Morley, D. Huane, C. Henry, P. McCrann, D. Kenny, S. Regan, S. Kenny, A. Phillips (1-0), K. Higgins (1-3, 0-1f, 0-1 65’), S. Boland (0-9, 0-5f), J. Coyne, B. Hunt (0-1), O. Greally.

Subs: E. Delaney (0-1), C. Scahill, M. Phillips, K. Kiely, S. Mulroy.

Ref: K. Brady (Louth).

*Full report in Tuesday’s print edition.