Mayo get their Nicky Rackard Cup campaign back on track

Mayo got their Nicky Rackard Cup campaign back on track with a 3-22 to 0-17 victory over Louth at St. Brigid's Park, Dowdallshill.

The Green and Red were 1-13 to 0-7 ahead at the break, Eoin Delaney with the goal, while Cormac Philips added two more after the break, with Shane Boland in fine form as well in front of the posts all afternoon.

A feature of Mayo's otherwise disappointing defeat to Donegal last weekend was the spread of scorers, and that trend continued in Louth as eight players found the range, including goalkeeper Bobby Douglas (two frees) in addition to Oisín Greally, David Kenny and Eoghan Collins.

Darren Geoghegan proved reliable with dead balls for Louth, while Stephen Kettle, Peter Fortune and John Casey all registered points in the first half as well.

Delaney's goal, which arrived on 24 minutes, was a key score, however. He collected possession around the middle and advanced on goal before smashing a low drive into the bottom corner of the Louth net.

After the turnaround, points from Boland (two), Philips, Collins, Kenny Feeney and Sean Regan saw Mayo stretch their lead before Kettle replied for the hosts.

There was no let-up from the Green and Red, however, as Philips scored two goals in the space of four minutes during the last quarter and while Louth sub Dylan Casey fired over three late points, they were well beaten by the final whistle.

Louth: C. Clancy; R. Mulholland, C. Quigley, A. Smyth; A. McGuinness-Smyth (0-1), A. Plunkett, G. Allen; T. McCreesh, S. Kettle (0-2); S. Hodgins, D. Geoghegan (0-5, 4f), P. Lynch (0-2, 1f); P. Fortune (0-1), J. Casey (0-2), C. Murphy.

Subs used: C. Higgins, C. Ryan, D. Carey (0-3, 2f), D. Stephenson, R. McKeown (0-1).

Mayo: B. Douglas (0-3f); C. Murray, O. Greally (0-1), D. Kenny (0-1); L. Connor, C. Hession, E. Collins (0-2); S. Kenny, J. Heraty; L. Lavin, A. Phillips, S. Regan (0-2); S. Boland (0-5, 2f), C. Phillips (2-5, 4f, 1 65'), E. Delaney (1-1).

Subs used: B. Sheridan, K. Feeney (0-2), B. Lane, S. Mulroy, S. Crinnigan.