Mayo and their new management duo of Noel Connelly and Pat Holmes opened their Connacht FBD League campaign with a hard-earned 1-13 to 1-11 victory over NUIG at Elvery's MacHale Park.

In a game which had been evenly contested throughout, Adam Gallagher's late point sealed the win for the four-in-a-row Connacht champions. Castlebar Mitchel's forward Neil Douglas scored 0-4 from play before being off forced to retire injured in the second half.

The students had led by 1-7 to 0-8 at half-time thanks to Peadar O Griofa's goal, but a Mark Ronaldson green flag at the other end edged Mayo into a 1-8 to 1-7 lead, and they hung on for the win.

Mayo will face IT Sligo in their second outing in the competition next Sunday in Ballina.

Mayo: R Hennelly, D McHugh (0-1), G Cafferkey, S Coen, C Barrett (0-1), C Crowe, K Keane, J Gibbons, A Corduff, N Douglas (0-4), A Gallagher (0-1f), M Conroy (0-1), E Regan (0-3f), J Doherty (0-1), M Ronaldson (1-1). Subs: A Freeman for J Doherty (BC ht), K Rogers for Cafferkey (ht), M Sweeney for M Conroy (ht), B Moran for Corduff (45), G Cafferkey for Douglas (inj, 51)

NUIG: D O'Sullivan, D Murray, K McDonald, L Cullen, R Kiely, D Cunnane, A Nolan, E O hEochaidh, S Moran (0-1), C Connolly, C Davey (0-1), D Comer (0-1), P O'Griofa (1-7f), S Conroy, K Gibbons (0-1f). Subs: F Reilly for Nolan (10), J McManus for Nolan (ht), J Kennedy for Conroy (ht), N Lee for O hEochaidh (40). B Walsh for Murray (43), N Hickey for Gibbons (58).

Referee: R McBrien (Leitrim).

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