Donegal prove too sharp for Mayo in Letterkenny

Donegal finished strongly to claim a deserved 1-19 to 0-14 victory over Mayo in a top of the table league encounter in Letterkenny this afternoon.

Andy Moran introduced Aidan O'Shea from the start in place of Fergal Boland, but it was Donegal who settled quickest.

After an edgy opening spell, Donegal youngster Conor McCahill opened the scoring midway through the first quarter, setting the tone for a dominant home display.

Donegal’s quick hands and aggressive press repeatedly unsettled Mayo, who struggled to establish any rhythm throughout the first 35.

Oisin Gallen was central to Donegal’s surge, tagging on scores from play and frees as the hosts built a commanding interval lead of 0-11 to 0-5.

Mayo’s only real response came through placed balls from Ryan O'Donoghue, with the visitors unable to convert promising goal chances.

Mayo emerged with greater intent after the restart, but a thunderous two-pointer from Ryan McHugh steadied Donegal before the decisive moment arrived on 45 minutes.

A sharp move ended with Conor O'Donnell palming to the net after solid work from Peadar Mogan, stretching the gap further and leaving the travelling Mayo support deflated.

Despite spirited efforts from substitutes Fergal Boland and Conor Loftus and a brief purple patch featuring scores from Jordan Flynn and Darragh Beirne, Mayo were repeatedly denied by Donegal keeper Gavin Mulreaney.

Donegal continued to pick off scores through McCahill, O’Donnell and others to maintain clear daylight.

Attention remains in Ulster as Andy Moran's side prepare to travel to Monaghan next week.

Mayo will be keen to bounce back from defeat and cement their status in Division 1.

Full match report and reaction to follow inside Tuesday's edition of the Connaught Telegraph