New rules on display but some old shortcomings haunt Mayo
Mayo and Dublin served up an entertaining Allianz NFL Division 1 contest at Croke Park before the hosts ran out 1-17 to 1-15 winners, with the 'enhanced' rules clearly on display.
For periods Mayo looked poised to land a knockout blow but they ultimately came up short, some missed opportunities proving critical in the end.
Kevin McStay's charges had a slow start that saw Dublin race into a 1-1 lead, Kevin Lahiff with the goal following Greg McEneaney's opening point, and continued to struggle as the Boys in Blue went 1-6 to 0-2 ahead after a quarter of an hour.
However, a great rally saw Mayo level the game at 1-6 apiece, Conor Reid with the goal after great work just outside the 40-metre arc by Colm Reape, an earlier two-pointer by Fergal Boland helping the visitors to close the gap.
By half-time Mayo were two ahead (1-10 to 1-8) after some excellent efforts, including beauties from Paul Towey and Frank Irwin.
Lahiff and Ciaran Kilkenny had Dublin level six minutes into the new half and it was nip and tuck for a good portion of the second half, Sean Bugler emerging as the home side's dominant figure in an experimental team fielded by Dessie Farrell.
After Bugler put the hosts 1-14 to 1-13 ahead on 59 minutes, capitalising on a turnover and a solo and go inside their own 40-metre arc, Dublin went two clear when they forced another turnover as Mayo failed to clear from their own kick-out, Luke Breatnach with the point.
The teams went point for point thereafter, leaving Dublin 1-17 to 1-15 clear at the final hooter, though Ryan Donoghue was just wide with a late two-point effort that would have levelled the game.
While disappointed with the result, Mayo manager Kevin McStay had to be pleased with aspects of his team's performance.
Debutants Conor Reid and Davitt Neary impressed, Fenton Kelly, Frank Irwin and Fergal Boland were busy, while Colm Reape was willing to get forward and join the attack on a regular basis, and to great effect as well.
Things to focus on for next week's visit of Galway to Castlebar will be the kick-out strategy and accuracy, especially when it comes to shooting outside the arc.
*See Tuesday's print edition of The Connaught Telegraph for a full report and reaction