Mayo make strong start to Nickey Rackard Cup campaign

Mayo got their Nickey Rackard Cup campaign off to a strong start with a 2-25 to 2-7 victory over Armagh in BOX-IT Athletic Grounds on Saturday afternoon.

With Cormac Phillips leading the way, Mayo were 0-18 to 2-2 ahead at the break having scored the first 11 points of the game, Charlie McArdle's goals just about keeping Armagh in with a shout going in at half-time.

However, Mayo hit two goals of their own in the second half, Corey Scahill with the first on 56 minutes and Phillips with the second in the dying moments.

The win marked a confident start to the campaign for Ray Larkin's charges, who were beaten by Roscommon in last year's decider.

Life was tough for Mayo in Division 2 of the National Hurling League this year but it was equally tough for Armagh in Division 3, and the Green and Red lived up to their favourites tag against the Orchard County.

Both counties have won the Nickey Rackard Cup twice but on this showing, Mayo are more likely than Armagh to add to that tally this year.

*See Tuesday's print edition for more on the game