Allianz Football League Division 1

MAYO 1-13 CAVAN 0-11

By Daragh Small at MacHale Park

Mayo continued their brilliant start to the league as Evan Regan found the net and they made it three from three in Division 1.

Last weekend’s stunning nine-point win in Omagh meant confidence was high and James Horan’s men kept the momentum flowing at MacHale Park in Castlebar.

Mayo took a 1-7 to 0-7 lead into half-time in front of 9,749. Regan struck just before half-time and Cavan were unlucky to go in behind.

However when Mayo surged clear late in the second half Stephen Murray was sent-off on a second yellow card and Cavan had no reply.

Cavan started well and they took an early 0-4 to 0-1 lead. Dara McVeety scored first off his right in the opening minute, but that was cancelled out when Andy Moran took his mark and slotted the resultant free.

Cavan hit three points in a row between the third and tenth minutes with Jack Brady (two) and goalkeeper Raymond Galligan on target.

Mayo finally gained some momentum when Andy Moran fisted a point and they were level for the second time when Fionn McDonagh and Jason Doherty (free) got among the scores.

Cavan withdrew their attackers and played deep in defence when Mayo got forward, but the visitors were quick to break out of defence, and Niall Murray scored to give them a 0-5 to 0-4 advantage by the 19th minute.

Stephen Coen almost scored a fortuitous goal four minutes later but Raymond Galligan did well to tip his speculative effort around the post.

Regan drew the sides level and Mayo took their first lead in the 25th minute with Aidan O’Shea outstanding effort from 45 metres after he earned a mark.

As the rain began to pour down Doherty’s slotted his second free and Mayo moved two clear.

Conor Rehill got forward to score twice either side of Regan’s goal in the 36th minute. Diarmuid O’Connor fed Matthew Ruane and his high ball was fisted to the net by Regan who ghosted in behind Martin Reilly.

Mayo were 1-7 to 0-7 in front at half-time and they dominated the opening exchanges of the second half. But they shot three wides in the first ten minutes.

However Regan and Lee Keegan combined to give them a five-point advantage with 45 minutes played.

Cavan were back within touching distance when Brady converted his third free with 17 minutes remaining.

There was just a goal between the sides after McVeety doubled his tally three minutes later but Mayo got the next two scores to seal the win.

Substitutes Donal Vaughan and Brian Reape scored as Mayo moved into an unassaible 1-11 to 0-9 lead.

Conor Moynagh hit back but Murray was sent-off when he collided Kevin McLoughlin.

Scorers for Mayo: Evan Regan 1-2 (0-2f), Jason Doherty 0-3 (0-3f), Andy Moran 0-2 (0-1f), Fionn McDonagh 0-1, Aidan O’Shea 0-1 (0-1f), Lee Keegan 0-1, Donal Vaughan 0-1, Brian Reape 0-1, Diarmuid O’Connor 0-1

Scorers for Cavan: Jack Brady 0-3 (0-3f), Conor Rehill 0-2, Dara McVeety 0-2, Raymond Galligan 0-1 (0-1f), Niall Murray 0-1, Conor Moynagh 0-1, Martin Reilly 0-1 (0-1f).

MAYO: David Clarke; Stephen Coen, Ger Cafferkey, Keith Higgins; Lee Keegan, Michael Plunkett, Paddy Durcan; Diarmuid O’Connor, Matthew Ruane; Fionn McDonagh, Aidan O’Shea, Jason Doherty; Evan Regan, Andy Moran, Colm Moran. Subs: Brian Reape for C Moran (43), Donal Vaughan for Ruane (48), Kevin McLoughlin for McDonagh (58), James McCormack for Coen (66), Ciaran Treacy for A Moran (68).

CAVAN: Raymond Galligan; Jason McLoughlin, Padraig Faulkner, Killian Clarke; Conor Rehill, Dara McVeety, Ciaran Brady; Thomas Galligan, Paul Graham; Martin Reilly, Jack Brady, Niall Murray; Stephen Murray, Conor Madden, Cian Mackey. Subs: Conor Moynagh for T Galligan (35), Niall McKiernan for Madden (41), Pierce Smith for N Murray (43), Niall Clerkin for Mackey (61), Oisin Pierson for Brady (67).

Referee: Anthony Nolan (Wicklow).