Mayo run riot in Rackard opener
Sean Regan scored two goals in Mayo's emphatic victory over Monaghan on Sunday afternoon. Picture: David Farrell Photography
A sensational display of second-half shooting saw Mayo easily dispose of Monaghan by 4-24 to 2-08 to launch their claim on this season’s Nicky Rackard Cup in emphatic style in MacHale Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Green and Red had won February’s corresponding National League fixture in Castleblayney by 26 points and yet here at home, trailed by two points at half-time. The wind had played its part but an improved attitude was the main factor behind Mayo outscoring the visitors by a whopping 24 points in the second-half.
Monaghan led by 1-4 to 0-5 thanks to Niall Garland’s 16th minute goal and by 2-4 to 0-6 after Mayo ‘keeper Bobby Douglas dropped a long-range Niall Arthur free into his own net on 28 minutes. Three first-half points from play by Adrian Phillips kept Mayo in contention but if anything, Monaghan deserved to lead by more than 2-5 to 0-9 at the break having also fired nine wides.
Two goals from Sean Regan, moved from midfield to full-forward, inside eight minutes of the restart, set the tone for a powerful second-half by wind-assisted Mayo, who would add further majors through substitute Jack Doocey and midfielder John Heraty whose late long-range delivery evaded goalkeeper Hugh Byrne to sum up Monaghan’s afternoon.
Scorers – Mayo: Sean Regan 2-2, Shane Boland 0-7 (4f), John Heraty 1-1, Adrian Phillips, Liam Lavin and Cormac Phillips (3f) 0-4 each, Jack Doocey 1-0, Eoin Delaney and Eoghan Collins 0-1 each.
Monaghan: Niall Garland 1-1, Niall Arthur 0-4 (2f), Bobby Douglas 1-0 (own goal), Emmet Walsh, Thomas Hughes and Conor Gernon 0-1 each.
Mayo: Bobby Douglas; Luke Connor, Danny Hill, Oisin Greally; Matthew Connor, David Kenny, Eoghan Collins; Sean Regan, John Heraty; Joseph Burke, Adrian Phillips, Liam Lavin; Shane Boland, Cormac Phillips, Eoin Delaney. Subs: Brendan Sheridan (for Burke 39), Michael Farrell (for Delaney 47), Jack Doocey (for Boland 57), Conor Murray (for Hill 60), Ronan O’Reilly (for Collins 64), James Gallagher (for Connor 67).
Monaghan: Hugh Byrne; Jack Guinan, Aaron Kenny, Conall McHugh; Michael Lyons, Colin Merrick, Declan Hughes; Martin Murphy, Conor Boyle; Pauric Malone, Conor Gernon, Emmet Walsh; Niall Garland, Niall Arthur, Thomas Hughes. Subs: James Brady (for D Hughes 52), Rowan McMahon and Leo Maloney (for Boyle and Gernon 56), Patrick Birmingham (for Walsh 60), Cathal Power (for T Hughes 64), Conor Flynn (for Lyons 67).
REF: Matthew Farrell (Roscommon)
