Mayo defeat Dublin to claim back-to-back league wins

An attendance of over 15,000 witnessed Mayo make it two wins from two in Division 1 of the Allianz National Football League as Andy Moran's charges defeated Dublin on a 1-18 to 2-9 scoreline in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park today (Sunday).

A red card for Dublin's Seán MacMahon early in the second half changed the course of the game as Mayo always had the upper hand thereafter, despite conceding an opportunistic goal to Dublin's Paddy Small with just under 20 minutes remaining.

That brought Dublin back to within three of Mayo (2-7 to 1-13), but they could get no closer as the hosts controlled the closing stages, adding five more points to just two in reply from the visitors.

Mayo enjoyed a whirlwind start with points from Fergal Boland, who started in place of the named Tommy Conroy, and Sam Callinan in the first two minutes but Dublin rocked the hosts with a goal in their first real attack, Luke Breathnach firing to the net after taking a pass from Jack Lundy on the run.

It was an early indication that this would be a close affair, and so it proved - for a while at least. Dublin never really threatened Hennelly's goal for the rest of the half, however, as a number of their attacks broke down in the final instance.

At the other end, the hosts had two good goal chances when they robbed the Dublin kick-out but both Darragh Beirne and James Carr shot straight at Evan Comerford, who saved well on each occasion.

The half was marked by two great two-pointers from Mayo, Ryan O'Donoghue and David McBrien on target, while there was a good spread of scores, Boland nailing two and Sam Callinan, Stephen Coen and Darragh Beirne scoring one each.

For Dublin, their first-half point scorers were Killian McGinnis, Jack Lundy and Cormac Costello (two), but they trailed 1-5 to 0-10 at the break.

Unusually, Dublin manager Ger Brennan and his selectors decided to make three substitutions in the first half, all of which appeared tactical. They didn't really alter the flow of a game that never really sparked to life in those opening 35 minutes.

Dublin looked fired up for the second half but early chances went a-begging, the best of them an effort on goal by Cormac Costello that crashed off the crossbar.

As it was, Mayo scored first in the second half, McBrien blasting a shot over at the end of an incisive move on 39 minutes, and just one minute later Dublin were reduced to 14 players after the red card was flashed at MacMahon following an altercation with O'Donoghue.

A goal by Darragh Beirne on 45 minutes looked as though it had put the seal on Mayo's victory as it gave them a 1-11 to 1-5 lead. In truth it did decide the game as Mayo used the extra man to control possession and go for sure scores when the chance arose.

Dublin's second goal, coming on 51 minutes, arrrived after Small stole in behind the Mayo rearguard and, despite the close attentions of Jack Coyne, drove a shot from an acute angle past Robbie Hennelly, the home side's goalkeeper.

The hosts were never rattled, however, and points from O'Donoghue, substitute Cian McHale (free), Jack Carney, Callinan and Jordan Flynn sealed the win, Dublin replying with just two through Cormac Costello (free) and sub Seán Bugler.

Earlier, Diamuid O'Connor marked his return to the Mayo team with a fine point moments after replacing James Carr, making it a good day all round for Andy Moran's men.

Mayo: R. Hennelly; J. Coyne, R. Brickenden, E. Hession; S. Callinan (0-2), P. Durcan, S. Coen (0-1); B. Tuohy, D. McBrien (0-3, 1tp); J. Carney (0-1), R. O'Donoghue (0-5, 1f, 1tp), J. Flynn (0-1); D. Beirne (1-1), J. Carr, F. Boland (0-2).

Subs used: A. O'Shea, D. O'Connor (0-1), C. McHale (0-1f), P. Towey, D. McHugh.

Dublin: E. Comerford; E. Murchan, S. MacMahon, D. Byrne; C. Tyrell, N. Doran, C. O'Connor; E. Dunne, B. Howard; K. McGinis (0-1), N. Scully, L. Breathnach (1-0); P. Small (1-1), C. Costello (0-5, 1f, 1tp, 1 45), J. Lundy (0-1).

Subs used: C. Kilkenny, K. Stephenson, S. Bugler (0-1), L. O'Dell, G. McEneaney, E. Kennedy (temp).

Referee: M. McNally (Monaghan).

*See Tuesday's print edition of The Connaught Telegraph for a comprehensive report and reaction