A strong second half performance saw Mayo record a 0-10 to 0-6 win over Leitrim at Ballyhaunis club grounds yesterday afternoon.

Mayo started the game brightly and lead by three midway through the opening half - 0-4 to 0-1. Leitrim fought back, full forward James Glancy (2) and a superbly hit 45' from goalkeeper Cathal McCrann made sure the sides went in at the break on level terms at 0-4 a piece.

The biggest cheer of the afternoon came on 40 minutes when James Horan introduced the long awaited return of Conor Mortimer.

Almost a year out injured, the Parnells' man made an immediate impact with a superb score. Shortly after he doubled his tally from a free after been fouled close in.

Mayo had Donal Vaughan dismissed late on but the game looked to be up as the competition holders ran out four point winners.

Mayo - D Clarke; S McHale, E Reilly, L Keegan; P Gardiner, D Vaughan, C Boyle (0-1); B Moran, S O'Shea; K McLoughlin, P Harte, D Kirby (0-1); E Varley (0-4), D Coen (0-2), M Conroy. Subs: C Mortimer (0-2) for Harte, G Cafferkey for McHale, R Feene for McLoughlin.

Leitrim - C McCrann (0-1); A Wynne, C Egan, P McGuire; D Beck, J Glancy, W McKeon; P McGowan (0-1), D Lowe; P Brennan, C Clarke, G Hickey (0-1); R Lowe, J Glancy (0-1), R Cox (0-1). Subs: D Gilhooly for Glancy, D Sweeney (0-1) for McGowan.

Ref - M Duffy (Sligo). Tweet

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