Mayo swat aside below-par Kerry for first league win

Mayo powered their way to their first victory in this year's Allianz League in impressive fashion as All-Ireland champions Kerry slumped to a disappointing defeat at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park in Castlebar.

Kevin McStay’s homeside produced a stunning first-half display where goals from Ryan O’Donoghue and James Carr helped the Westerners to lead by 2-08 to 0-03 at the interval.

Mayo were more solid than spectacular in the second period, but they kept Kerry at arm’s length throughout and consigned the reigning league champions to their second defeat in three games in front of a crowd of 15,726.

Kingdom manager Jack O’Connor brought on David Clifford and Sean O’Shea at the break to try and help to turn the tide, and both made their presence felt on their first appearances of the season.

Clifford shot three points from play and O’Shea landed a beauty as the visitors outscored Mayo by 1-7 to 0-6 in the second period.

Kerry’s goal arrived in the 68th minute from Barry O’Sullivan, but it was far too late to effect the final outcome as Mayo beat their rivals for the first time since the 2019 league final.

It was obvious from an early stage that Mayo were in the mood and they raced into a 1-2 to no score lead after nine minutes.

Ryan O’Donoghue (free) and James Carr (mark) nailed early points before O’Donoghue weaved his way through a porous Kerry backline to hit the net.

Darragh Roche finally opened the visitor’s account soon after, but Mayo continued to lay siege to the opposition goal and well-taken scores from Jordan Flynn and Ryan O’Donoghue (free) were no more than they deserved.

Their second goal arrived on 23 minutes from James Carr, who finished clinically from close-range, and a string of points from player of the match