Regan powers second-half rally

Mayo outscored Monaghan by 24 points in the second half of this Nickey Rackard Cup fixture at MacHale Park to overturn a halftime deficit in emphatic style.

Trailing by 2-5 to 0-9 at the break, the Green and Red – 26-point winners when the sides met in Division 3A of the league in Castleblayney in February – found themselves with work to do.

A 16th-minute goal from Niall Garland gave Monaghan the lead, 1-4 to 0-5. An own goal by Mayo ’keeper Bobby Douglas then saw them stretch their advantage, 2-4 to 0-6.

Three first-half points from play from Adrian Phillips kept Mayo in contention against a

Monaghan side that fired nine wides in the opening period.

Two goals from Seán Regan in eight minutes set the tone for a powerful second half by Mayo, for whom Jack Doocey and John Heraty also found the net. SCORERS – Mayo: S Regan 2-2; S Boland 0-7 (4f); J Heraty 1-1; A Phillips, L Lavin and C Phillips (3f) 0-4 each; J Doocey 1-0; E Delaney, E Collins 0-1 each. Monaghan: N Garland 1-1; N Arthur 0-4 (2f); B Douglas 1-0 (own goal); E Walsh, T Hughes, C Gernon 0-1 each. MAYO: B Douglas; L Connor, D Hill, O Greally; M Connor, D Kenny, E Collins; S Regan, J Heraty; J Burke, A Phillips, L Lavin; S Boland, C Phillips, E Delaney. Subs: B Sheridan for Burke (39), M Farrell for Delaney (47), J Doocey for Boland (57), C Murray for Hill (60), R O’Reilly for Collins (64), J Gallagher for Connor (67). Monaghan: H Byrne; J Guinan, A Kenny, C McHugh; M Lyons, C Merrick, D Hughes; M Murphy, C Boyle; P Malone, C Gernon, E Walsh; N Garland, N Arthur, T Hughes. Subs: J Brady for D Hughes (52), R McMahon and L Maloney for Boyle and Gernon (both 56), P Birmingham for Walsh (60), C Power for T Hughes (64), C Flynn for Lyons (67). REF: M Farrell (Roscommon)