NFL 1: Mayo win in Derry

March 14, 2010
Derry crashed to their third straight defeat in Division 1 of the NFL as goals from Andy Moran and Aidan O'Shea gave Mayo their first win on Derry soil in 26 years at Celtic Park last night.

Mayo 2-12
Derry 1-12

John O'Mahony's side were more comfortable winners than the scoreline suggests, with Derry's goal coming from Eoin Bradley with the last kick of the game. The visitors had made the victory safe with points from Seamus O'Shea, Moran and team captain Trevor Mortimer in the final quarter.

Mayo set out their stall with early points from man of the match Alan Dillon and Enda Varley (two), which gave them a 0-3 to 0-0 lead after seven minutes. The home side levelled with scores from Lee Moran, Eoin Bradley and team captain Gerard O'Kane before Trevor Mortimer edged the Westerners back in front.

Moore and Paddy Bradley exchanged points with Aidan O'Shea and Dillon before the latter's 31st minute free caused consternation in the Derry defence and Andy Moran was on hand to smash home from close range. Dillon followed up with a pointed free to leave Mayo sitting pretty on a 1-7 to 0-5 half-time lead.

Derry manager Damian Cassidy switched Paddy Bradley to full forward for the start of the second half and he quickly clawed back a point. However, Mayo responded with their second goal from O'Shea in the 45th minute after he palmed Varley's high delivery to the net.

The Oak Leafers rallied with scores from Charlie Kielt, Eoin Bradley, Paddy Bradley and Mark Lynch to trail by 0-12 to 2-9 with 14 minutes remaining, but Mayo refused to wilt and had put the result beyond doubt before Eoin Bradley's hit a late consolation goal for the home side.

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