Hession stars in Mayo stroll

MAYO 4-20 LEITRIM 1-8 CONNACHT MFC

A DOMINANT performance from Mayo ensured that they kicked off their provincial campaign with a bang last night, recording a comprehensive round-one victory over an under-strength Leitrim side at Elverys MacHale Park in Castlebar.

Tomás Morley’s side cruised into a 10-point lead at the break thanks to goals from captain Enda Hession and Fionnan Ryan, and they were full value for that healthy lead.

A handful of Jamie Quinn frees kept Leitrim in touch, but Mayo were swiftly moving through the gears but the Green and Red always had their neighbours at arm’s length.

The dominance continued on the resumption with Harry Burke, Martin Ball and Jack Carney all flashing over singles.

Indeed, further goals from Ryan and the outstanding Hession copper-fastened the win, which, in truth, was never in doubt.

Mayo next face Roscommon on Friday, May 11, at Dr Hyde Park in the second round of fixtures.

Leitrim’s next assignment is also against the Rossies, a round-three tie on Saturday, June 23.

SCORERS – Mayo: E Hession 2-5 (1-0 pen, 3f); F Ryan 2-1; M Ball, L Traynor 0-4 each; H Burke, J Carney 0-2 each; C Dunleavy, C Mylett 0-1 each Leitrim: D Maguire 1-0; J Quinn 0-3 (3f); O Bohan (f), D Kelleher, D O’Connell, C Clancy, S Mallon 0-1 each.

MAYO– R Connolly; S Holmes, E McHale, A Cosgrove; R Keane, L Óg Horkan, C Dunleavy; J Carney, H Burke; F Irwin, U O’Reilly, L Traynor; M Ball, F Ryan, E Hession. Subs: L Dawson for S Holmes (36), F Sweeney for U O’Reilly (43), E Ivers for R Keane (49), C Mylett for H Burke (52), E Henry for F Irwin (56), P Heneghan for E Hession (59).

LEITRIM – M Early; T McKeon, E McLoughlin, P McKenna; N Keegan, J Flynn, O Niblock; P Keaney, D O’Connell; D Kelleher, J Quinn, S Mallon; D Maguire, T Prior, O Bohan. Subs: C Clancy for J Quinn (49), F Davitt for D Kelleher (54).

REF – P Daly (Roscommon)