Mayo play second fiddle in the hills
Donegal's Oisín Gallen scoring a point despite the best efforts of Mayo’s Donnacha McHugh. Picture: INPHO/Lorcan Doherty
The team who effectively ended Kevin McStay’s reign as Mayo manager last year served Andy Moran his first competitive defeat as McStay’s replacement, as Donegal recorded a thoroughly comprehensive eight points defeat over the Green and Red in Sunday’s National Football League Division 1 clash in Letterkenny.
The biggest attendance for a game in O’Donnell Park since the 1950s – the game was a 8,900 sell-out – watched Jim McGuinness’ ease to a third straight win, with the 1-19 to 0-14 scoreline not really flattering them. Yes, Mayo failed to convert a raft of second-half goal chances but having played with the stiff breeze in the first-half yet ending six points behind, their job of work thereafter was just too great.
Donegal had led 0-7 to 0-2 before Jordan Flynn kicked Mayo’s first point from play in the 25th minute and by half-time, Oisin Gallen had already struck five points for the hosts, including three from play, as the Tir Chonaill outfit took a 0-11 to 0-5 advantage to the dressing-room.
It’s worth pointing out that Donegal started as many as 12 of the team that also started last summer’s championship victory over Mayo – and their hunger for the victory was massively evident from the get-go, with newcomer Conor McCahill registering their opening two points. He kicked a third in the third quarter, not long after Conor O’Donnell had palmed in the game’s only goal, and after 48 minutes the Ulster side were eleven points in front, 1-16 to 0-9.
The introduction of Conor Loftus late in the first-half was one big positive for the visitors. The Crossmolina man brought massive energy and along with an early second-half point, he forced a good save from Donegal goalkeeper Gavin Mulreany who also denied Darragh Beirne on two occasions and Ryan O’Donoghue on another. And while the latter did flick the ball to the net in the final minute, the goal was disallowed because of an unfortunate double hop by Loftus in the build up.
Mayo are on the road to Ulster again next Sunday with a game against Monaghan who are pointless after three rounds.
