Mayo call on battling qualities to dump out Kildare

Mayo's never-say-die attitude shone through once again at Croke Park as they recorded a 2-13 to 0-14 All-Ireland qualifier win over Kildare to reach the last eight.

Early in the second half, Kildare led by six points and were looking relatively comfortable as they hunted in packs at the back and moved the ball at pace thanks to some midfield dominance.

Daniel Flynn came ever so close to what would have been a stunning individual goal – and one that more than likely would have killed off the contest – but Enda Hession blocked bravely and Mayo broke to score and reduce the gap to four points.

From there Mayo started to charge and Oisin Mullen’s fine goal brought them level before Jordan Flynn added a second with the final kick as he lobbed Aaron O’Neill from way out to seal Mayo’s progress.

The Connacht side came into the game as favourites with Glenn Ryan's Kildare wounded by five first-half goals conceded in their Leinster final defeat to Dublin.

With chances missed early on at both ends – the excellent Daniel Flynn amazingly missing an easy mark effort – Mayo took the lead through Jack Carney.

It would be the only time in the first half that a Mayo forward would score from play and they wouldn’t lead again until the final minutes.

Darragh Malone levelled things up before two Jimmy Hyland frees and a point from the outstanding Kevin Feely had the Lilywhites 0-04 to 0-01 ahead after 15 minutes.

Cillian O’Connor, well bottled up, kicked a free before Kevin O’Callaghan responded at the Hill 16 end.

Lee Keegan kicked a fine score but Daniel Flynn and Kevin O’Callaghan edged Kildare further ahead.

Eoghan McLaughlin then had a big say on proceedings, first pointing before racing through to collect a pass from Carney after his superb