Mayo FC win on FAI National League debut

Mayo FC's debut in the FAI National League is a successful one after they defeated St Francis 1-0 in Umbro Park this evening.

The breakthrough goal came on the half hour mark when Gary Armstrong slipped in Ben Edeh and Mayo FC's first ever signing became their first competitive goalscorer as he rolled his shot past Mark Devereux and into the bottom corner.

It was a nervous opening ten minutes for Mayo, who looked a little overawed by the historic occasion. But once they settled, they dominated possession and Anthony O'Neill's only complaint will be that they did not see the game out more comfortably.

Along with Edeh, Darragh Forde was outstanding down the right flank all evening. His introduction came after Connor McCarthy was withdrawn due to injury on 25 minutes but he was a great outlet all day for Mayo and had a couple of chances to add his name to the scoresheet.

Edeh was unlucky not to add his and Mayo's second of the game on 53 minutes but his toepoked effort came back off the post and St Francis' Daniel Hickey cleared away.

St Francis were dealt a major blow when Zach Donohue was sent off on the hour mark after picking up two yellow cards in the space of 90 seconds.

Mayo had a chance to put the game beyond doubt when referee Alan Kennedy pointed to the penalty spot after Forde was hauled down, but Aidan Coyle's penalty thundered his spotkick off the upright. 

St Francis goalkeeper Devereux continued to keep the visitors in it, denying Edeh, James McGrath, and the Dublin side almost snatched an equaliser at the death when Jack Savage's corner picked out Abdurrahman Bouderbala unmarked but his header from five yards was wide.

Mayo will look to make it back-to-back wins when they travel to Donegal next Saturday to face Letterkenny Rovers.

There is much to work on, but the history books will say that Mayo FC's league debut was a successful one. 

And that is all that matters.

*See Tuesday's Western People for full coverage