The real Mayo stand up in Omagh to inflict defeat on Tyrone

The real Mayo stood up in Omagh to inflict a 2-17 to 1-13 on Tyrone at O'Neills Healy Park in Group 1 of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, writes Brian Gillespie.

The teams went into this second round game in contrasting form. The hosts enjoyed a fantastic victory over Donegal just last weekend while Mayo were stunned by Cavan in Castlebar two weeks ago, losing a game they were widely expected to win.

That form counted for nothing as Mayo were the better side from the off and the seven-point margin of victory could and probably should have been much more as they left a number of goal chances behind them against a strangely off-form Tyrone.

Still, few could have seen the first-half display coming. Mayo were turned over on some early attacks and Tyrone actually took the lead through Michael McKernan on six minutes, but after that the visitors took over.

A great effort from distance by Rory Brickenden was the prelude and by half-time Mayo had popped nine over Niall Morgan's bar, with Brickenden again on target along with Ryan O'Donoghue (three, all frees), Conal Dawson (two), Colm Reape (45') and Paddy Durcan, who received a good cheer from the Mayo supporters as his comeback from a long injury lay-off continues.

But the pivotal play came in the final seconds of the half. After Tyrone had staged a mini-comeback to make it a five-point game (0-4 to 0-9), Mayo held on to possession over the final two minutes and looked to extend their advantage by going for a point after the hooter had sounded.

However, it looked as though Bob Tuohy's effort would be claimed by Morgan as it dropped short but the Tyrone 'keeper dropped the ball, allowing Darren McHale to nip in and hit a low shot to the net to give Mayo a commanding eight-point lead (1-9 to 0-4) as they raced off into the dressing room.

The goal was no more than Mayo deserved as they had created two good goal chances, and one marginal one, during the course of the first half as they dominated in all sectors.

It looked like the Mayo players felt they had something to prove after their poor showing against Cavan in round one, and they had Tyrone rattled.

DEFLECTED

They started on the front foot in the second half and could have extended the lead with a Ryan O'Donoghue goal, but his deflected effort came back off the butt of the upright.

Then Tyrone rallied, scoring 1-2 without reply, Darragh Canavan with the goal after the Mayo defence backed off and allowed him take a shot at goal. The finish past Colm Reape was sublime.

The comeback was on, and midway through the half the Mayo lead had been whittled down to one (1-11 to 1-10) after Niall Morgan split the posts with a two-point free.

The Mayo response was terrific, however, and by the time Morgan scored another two-point free late on, Mayo had hit them for 1-3 without reply, the goal by Ryan O'Donoghue coming from the penalty spot after the energetic Davitt Neary – who made a big impression – was fouled after an incisive one-two with Aidan O'Shea.

Mayo rattled off two more points to after Kieran McGeary had scored one for Tyrone, leaving the visitors winners by seven in the end – and they were full value for it. A repeat dose against Donegal in two weeks' time will see them safely through to the knockout stages.

Tyrone: Niall Morgan (0-4, 2tpf); Cormac Quinn, Peter Teague, Niall Devlin; Michael McKernan (0-1), Rory Brennan, Kieran McGeary (0-1); Ben McDonnell (0-1), Conn Kilpatrick; Seanie O'Donnell, Mattie Donnelly (0-1), Ciarán Daly; Darren McCurry (0-2, 1f), Mark Bradley, Darragh Canavan (1-3, 2f).

Subs used: Liam Grey, Shea O'Hare, Peter Harte, Ruairí Canavan, Aodhan Donaghy.

Mayo: Colm Reape (0-1 45'); Jack Coyne (0-1), Sean Morahan, Rory Brickenden (0-2); Stephen Coen, David McBrien, Enda Hession; Paddy Durcan (0-3), Matthew Ruane; Jack Carney (0-1), Darren McHale (1-0), Bob Tuohy; Aidan O'Shea (0-1), Conal Dawson (0-2), Ryan O'Donoghue (1-6, 1-0p, 5f).

Subs used: Jordan Flynn, Davitt Neary, Fenton Kelly, Fergal Boland, Sam Callinan.

Referee: David Coldrick (Meath).

*See Tuesday's print edition for a comprehensive report and reaction from Omagh