Lovely hurling by Mayo

MAYO enjoyed the perfect opening to their Allianz Hurling League Division 2B campaign in James Stephens Park, Ballina, this afternoon.

They claimed victory over visitors Donegal by 2-16 to 1-09 with an impressive showing.

A dominant display in the first half left them 10 points to the good at the break at 1-11 to 1-01, and that was the perfect platform on which to build this victory.

Donegal started without any players from the Setanta club that was beaten in the All-Ireland junior club semi-final yesterday (Saturday), though a few did come on in the second half as they attempted to claw their way back into the game.

Their main method was from the placed ball, with Lee Henderson proving unerringly accurate when presented with the opportunity.

In fact, only two of their scores came from play - a point right at the end of the game by Danny Cullen and a goal from Davin Flynn in the 11th minute.

Mayo, by contrast, had a very good spread of scores, with five of the starting forwards chipping in as well as substitute Patrick Kiely, who joined the attack in the second half, and midfielder David Kenny.

The goals were scored by Sean Regan on his home patch – although the Ballina man does, of course, play his club hurling with Tooreen – and Kenny Feeney, the latter getting on the end of a fine move to fully settle the issue five minutes from time.

With Donegal at a numerical disadvantage from the 12th minute of the second half due to the dismissal of Jamesie Donnelly on a second yellow card, it was very hard for them to eat into the Mayo lead – even with the aid of a stiff breeze.

So a great start then for Mayo, who were well served all over the pitch but had stand-out performers in Eoin McLoughlin, Keith Higgins and Sean Regan. Their next outing will be away to Armagh next Sunday (February 4).