Mayo impress against Kerry for first league win

February 18, 2023

Mayo's Aidan O'Shea and Jason Foley of Kerry ©INPHO/James Crombie

Mayo claimed their first win in Division 1 of the Allianz Football League by seeing off holders Kerry 2-14 to 1-10 in Castlebar tonight.

After drawing their opening two games, Kevin McStay’s charges raced out of the traps and sailed over the first two points before Ryan O’Donoghue raced through and poked home their first goal on nine minutes.

Kerry looked to steady the ship with a couple of Darragh Roche points but James Carr would have the ball in their net again in the 22nd minute after fully capitalising on a mistake at the back.

Diarmuid O’Connor and Jordan Flynn added more points that saw the hosts carry in a dominant 2-8 to 0-3 lead at the break and it was no surprise to see Kingdom boss Jack O’Connor calling on reinforcements at half-time.

David Clifford and Sean O’Shea were both introduced to the fray for the start of the second-half and made an immediate impact, combining for five points that trimmed the All-Ireland champions’ deficit down to nine with just over 10 minutes remaining.

Clifford sent over some classy trademark scores in his first appearance in the green and gold since last July’s triumph over Galway at Croke Park.

Donnacha McHugh and Jack Carney cushioned the Mayo lead some more ahead of Dingle’s Barry O’Sullivan netting a goal on the eve of injury.

It would be nowhere near enough for the visitors though as Darragh Moynihan’s point minutes later was their last and left them seven short in the end.


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