Two from two for Mayo as Dubs are defeated in Castlebar

Kevin McStay's Mayo backed up their opening round Allianz NFL victory over Galway with a 1-12 to 0-14 win over Dublin at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, Castlebar.

In what was the 39th league meeting between the two counties, and the 14th hosted at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park in Castlebar, it was the Mayo fans who were the happier heading away into the crisp evening air following Fergal Kelly's full-time whistle.

Near the end of four minutes of time added on, with the teams tied (1-11 to 0-14), Ryan O'Donoghue had a chance to win it for Mayo with a free from a tight angle. Instead of aiming for the posts, however, he found Fergal Boland in a small bit of space in front of goal, and the Aghamore man – who had a fine game – did the honours, under some pressure, to win a tight, tough encounter.

Dublin started well, at times carving through a Mayo defence that stood off a bit too much, and a 0-6 to 0-2 lead after 21 minutes was no less than the All-Ireland champions deserved. They landed some great scores in that period, not least two fine efforts by Jack McCaffrey.

But then something clicked for the hosts. Ryan O'Donoghue scored two quick frees and suddenly there were just two points between the teams. Paul Towey reduced the gap to one with a towering effort at the end of Mayo's most impressive passage of play, and Bob Tuohy levelled from an acute angle following a perceptive pass by O'Donoghue.

Dublin responded through Greg McEneaney and Sean Bugler to go two clear again but O'Donghue once more rolled up his sleeves, scoring an inspiring effort from play before making it a tied game again with a close-range free following a foul on the tightly-marked Aidan O'Shea.

The visitors enjoyed a quick-fire start to the second half, scoring three points in a row, but Mayo responded with another O'Donoghue free and then the only goal of the game, scored by the Green and Red, swung the momentum in this tie.

Dublin appeared to have dealt with Jordan Flynn's long delivery but substitute Stephen Coen nipped in to direct the ball beyond 'keeper David O'Hanlon. Chalk that down as a collector's item; it was Coen's first goal for Mayo at any level insofar as we can ascertain from the history books.

That gave Mayo the lead for the first time (1-9 to 0-11) but it was nip and tuck from there until the end. The sides were level at 1-11 to 0-14 when four minutes of injury time were indicated to the crowd of 14,789 inside Hastings Insurance MacHale Park.

Both sides had chances to win it down the closing stretch but O'Donoghue's vision and Boland's accuracy ensured Mayo of the victory.

Next up for Mayo is a trip to Tralee to take on Kerry in round three of the league in two weeks' time. Dublin, meanwhile, welcome Roscommon to Croke Park the same day (Saturday, February 17).

Mayo: Colm Reape (0-1f); Jack Coyne, Rory Brickenden, Sam Callinan; Paddy Durcan, David McBrien, Eoghan McLaughlin; Jordan Flynn, Jack Carney (0-1); Conor Reid, Fergal Boland (0-1), Bob Tuohy (0-1); Aidan O'Shea, Paul Towey (0-1), Ryan O'Donoghue (0-7, 6f).

Subs used: Donnacha McHugh for Reid (10), Stephen Coen (1-0) for McLaughlin, Tommy Conroy for Towey(49), Cillian O'Connor for O'Shea (58), Diarmuid Duffy for Tuohy (69).

Dublin: David O'Hanlon (0-1f); Theo Clancy, Sean MacMahon, Lee Gannon; Greg McEneaney (0-1), Cian Murphy (0-1), Jack McCaffrey (0-2); Brian Fenton (0-1), Seán Bugler (0-1); Ross McGarry, Colm Basquel, Ciarán Kilkenny; Paddy Small (0-1f), Con O'Callaghan (0-2), Cormac Costello (0-4, 3f).

Subs used: John Small for McCaffrey (51), Niall Scully for McGarry (54), Peadar Ó Cofaigh for Basquel (58), Lorcan O'Dell for Costello (65), Killian O'Gara for Paddy Small (69).

Referee: Fergal Kelly (Longford).