Mayo - 2-19, Clare - 1-6: League champions Mayo dismissed the challenge of Clare in a ruthless second-half performance at Cusack Park, Ennis, yesterday. Their 16-point victory was well merited based on their display in the second 35 minutes, leaving the home side dazed by a complete and impressive team performance.
Teaguegh on top for the opening half, Mayo could only manage to go in 0-7 to 0-5 ahead at the break, but their upping of a gear in the second period left Clare under no illusions. Early in the half, the visitors made their intentions known, when corner forward Marty McNicholas goaled after he collected a ball that came back off the upright following a long-range effort from midfielder Michael Moyles.
Minutes later, man of the match and Mayo's top scorer Conor Mortimer put another one past goalkeeper James Hanrahan to seal victory as Clare found themselves, only nine minutes into the half, in arrears by 2-9 to 0-5.
Early in the game, centre forward Paul Hehir opened the scoring for Clare but the lead was cancelled out by a Stephen Carolan point in the third minute. Though in control throughout, Mayo's first-half performance must have disappointed manager Pat Holmes at the interval. An amount of possession and numerous scoring chances were not capitalised on, but the enormously improved second-half display certainly dispelled any doubts.
Clare were struck with an avalanche of incisive attacks following the two goals early on and tried in vain to stem the tide. They did produce a goal midway through the half thanks to substitute Michael O'Shea, but it was nothing more that a consolation score, as Mayo had by now gone on a scoring spree. Forwards and midfielders alike were not afraid to take shots from varying angles and distances with most of them finding the target.
The Clare defenders were constantly under pressure and could in no way set up their forwards for scoring opportunities. This was reflected in the fact that aside from O'Shea's goal, their only other score of the half came from Colm Mullenin the 57th minute.
MAYO: P Burke; G Ruane, D Heaney (0-1), A Roche; P Coyne, J Nallen, N Connelly (0-1); S Trench, M Moyles (0-3); J Gill (0-1), S Carolan (0-2), D Nestor; M McNicholas (1-0), J Horan (0-1), C Mortimer (1-8, two frees). Subs: G Mullins (0-1), for Heaney, M Mullins (0-1), for Gill, S Fitzmaurice for Trench, K Mortimer for Roche, T Nallen for Coyne.
CLARE: J Hanrahan; P Gallagher, B Considine, P Smith; M O'Connell, R Gibbons, R Slattery; D O'Sullivan, G Quinlan; P O'Dwyer, P Hehir (0-3, two frees), M Keane; D Russell (0-1), S Hickey (0-1), C Mullen (0-1 free). Subs: N Hawes for O'Sullivan, D O'Driscoll for Keane, P McMahon for O'Dwyer, M O'Shea (1-0) for Russell.
Referee: J Bannon (Longford).
