Five-star Mayo cruise to Monaghan win

Allianz NHL Division 3A - Round 2

Mayo 5-20

Monaghan 0-9

A hat trick of goals from Adrian Phillips saw Mayo ease to a comfortable win in the end over Monaghan this afternoon. 

Mayo had led 1-12 to 0-5 at half-time but it told only half the story as the Green and Red only led by four coming into the last ten minutes of the half as they struggled to break down a dogged Monaghan backline. But they outscored the Farney men 1-6 to 0-3 in that final ten, with Adrian Phillips' clever flick over the top into the net a killer blow to Monaghan.

Any remote hopes of Monaghan getting back into the game were ended by Eoin Delaney's goal shortly after the restart. Mayo kept the scoreboard ticking through Adrian Phillips and Liam Lavin before Daniel Huane fired in Mayo's third goal 15 minutes into the second half.

Adrian Phillips completed his hat trick of goals with a quickfire brace into the net on 52 minutes, with further efforts by Cormac Phillips and Sean Kenny, both frees, and substitute Michael Farrell and Shane Crinnigan completed the 26-point rout, ironically the same margin as last year's win over Monaghan in the league.

Mayo will be back out in two weeks time as they welcome Cavan to Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, Castlebar.

*Full report and reaction in Tuesday's edition of the Western People.