Despite a spirited second-half showing, Mayo edged out Monaghan with a one point win in Clones this afternoon.
Jack Carney opened the scoring after a minute of play; using the breeze at his back and sailing the ball over Rory Beggans crossbar.
Ryan O’Donoghue continued Mayo’s strong start getting his first of the day as Mayo wet three up after three minutes.
Three, two-point efforts from Ryan O’Donoghue, Jack Carney and Kobe McDonald left Mayo in a healthy eight point lead after 23 minutes, 0-11 to 0-3.
Michael Bannigan and Oisin McGorman replied for Monaghan. However Mayo struck goal, Kobe McDonald snuck in at the back post palming the ball past Rory Beggan on 29 minutes.
Michael McCarville, Jack McCarron and an Andrew Woods two-pointer reduced the deficit to seven points approaching half-time. However, Monaghan were dealt a blow again due to the accuracy of Mayo’s forwards.
A pair of two-pointers for the visitors from Darragh Beirne first followed by O’Donoghue gave Mayo a healthy 11-point lead at the break. Mayo leading at half-time, 1-17 to 0-9.
Monaghan fight back
The sides traded scores early in the second-half through Conor Loftus and Rory Beggan before Dessie Ward landed Monaghans first two-pointer of the contest.
Bobby McCaul raised the white flag for Monaghan moments before he found the back of the Mayo net. Giving Monaghan a renewed sense of hope.
Monaghan remained on the front foot with Jack McCarron landing a wonderful two-pointer after leaving two defenders in his wake. Stephen Mooney got Monaghan’s second goal of the contest.
Mayo weathered the late farney surge and worked a free. O’Donoghue made no mistake from extending their lead out to three points with 90 second remaining.
Max Maguire launched a long ball towards the Mayo goal with Monaghan’s last attack of the game which went over for a two-pointer. However, time was against the home side as the hooter went following the subsequent kick out.
Mayo running out one point winners, 1-24 to 2-20.
Monaghan will now enter round 2B of the All-Ireland football championship, where they will find out their opponents during Tuesday mornings draw.
