O'Donoghue in top form as Mayo ease past New York

Ryan O'Donoghue scored 1-13 as Mayo eased to a 2-21 to 2-6 victory over New York in the Connacht GAA Senior Football Championship quarterfinal at Gaelic Park on Sunday.

After a stunning win over Leitrim in the '23 championship, the hosts – much changed from last year, in fairness – got off to lively start but faded when Mayo got to grips with the encounter, and O'Donoghue's goal on 21 minutes put the Green and Red firmly in the driving seat.

By half-time Mayo were 1-11 to 0-2 ahead, O'Donoghue with 1-9 of that tally (including five frees and one mark), while Aidan O'Shea (free) and Jack Carney chipped in with a point apiece.

For O'Shea it was an auspicious occasion as he made his 85th championship appearance - a new Mayo record.

The impressive Cillian Butler scored both of New York's points in that first half, and the second was very close to a goal as he took a quick shot from distance with Colm Reape, the Mayo goalkeeper, having been caught in an advanced position.

A gallant New York scored two fine goals in the second half through Frank O'Reilly and Jamie Boyle but Mayo also found the back of the net, substitute Cillian O'Connor firing past Joey Grace, the NY 'keeper, from the penalty spot after another replacement, Paul Towey, had been upended while bearing down on the target.

Grace made a number of saves as Mayo created a few good openings, and some fine points were scored by Paddy Durcan, Darren McHale, Fergal Boland, Carney and Towey.

In the end it was a routine win for Kevin McStay's men, who will face Roscommon in the Connacht semi-final in two weeks' time. New York, meanwhile, can now prepare for a crack at the Tailteann Cup.

New York: J. Grace; S. Bolger, J. Boyle (1-0), T. O'Riordan; S. Brosnan, C. O'Dea, R. Wharton (0-1); J. Walsh, E. O'Connghaile; T. Mathers, F. O'Reilly (1-2, 1m), P. Lillis; S. Reilly, M. Argue, K. Butler (0-2).

Subs used: L. Kearney, J. Ajani, M. Brosnan (0-1), I. Ilunga, A. Loughlin Stones.

Mayo: C. Reape; J. Coyne, R. Brickenden, S. Callinan; P. Durcan (0-1), S. Coen, E. McLaughlin; D. McBrien, M. Ruane; B. Tuohy, F. Boland (0-1), J. Carney (0-2); A. O'Shea (0-1f), T. Conroy, R. O'Donoghue (1-13, 8f, 1m).

Subs used: C. O'Connor (1-1, 1-0p), D. McHale (0-1), P. Towey (temporary, 0-1), E. Hession, M. Plunkett, C. Hunt.

*See Tuesday's print edition for a comprehensive report