Mayo romp to victory in Monaghan as league points come back west

Mayo romped to victory in the second round of Division 3A of the Allianz National Hurling League, beating Monaghan by 5-20 to 0-9 in Castleblayney.

Leading by nine at half-time (1-12 to 0-6), the Green and Red really cut loose after the break, tacking on four more goals as well as eight points to run out comprehensive winners in the end.

Cormac Phillips scored the majority of the first-half points, while Adrian Phillips scored the only goal of that opening 35-minute period.

Two more goals after the break secured Adrian Phillips his hat trick, while Daniel Huane and Eoin Delaney also found the back of the net as the Monaghan challenge faded.

There were few signs early on that Mayo would walk away with it as the game remained tight on the scoreboard, although by the time the goal arrived late in the half, Mayo had established a six-point buffer (0-11 to 0-5).

Third-quarter goals by Delaney and Huane ended the game as a contest, and Phillips hit a quick-fire double early in the fourth quarter to put gloss on the scoreboard.

It's two wins from two games in the league now for the new Mayo management of Brian Finn and Ray Larkin, and at this stage they will have promotion in their minds – but there's a long way to go yet.

Next up for Mayo is a clash with Louth on Sunday, February 25, in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, Castlebar.