Mayo eased their way into the provincial decider against Sligo with a deserving victory over a Leitrim side strong on commitment, but weak on finishing, in a lively encounter played in sunny conditions at Pairc Sean Mhic Diarmada, Carrick-on-Shannon on Saturday.

Mayo opened briskly and raced to an 0-6 to 0-3 half-time lead. Although a penalty brought the home side to within two points of Mayo with nine minutes remaining, the visitors simply stepped up a gear and three more points sealed victory.

Mayo: D Clarke; P Finnerty, P Kelly, K Duignan; P Quinn, P Heneghan, M J Meenaghan; R Loftus (0-5, all frees), T Mortimer; B J Padden, J Gill (0-1), B Maloney; M McNicholas (0-2, one 45), A Dillon, C Mortimer (0-4, two frees). Subs: C Lyons (0-1) for Padden; M Keane for Gill.

Leitrim: E Lyons; S Maguire, J McKeon, M McGuinness; P McGarry, P Casserly, John McGuinness (Bornacoola); D O'Rourke, J Gilbane; D Maxwell, T Kelleher, M Foley; M Duignan (0-3), S Canning (1-1, one free), N Doonan (0-1). Subs: G McCloskey for J Gilbane; John McGuinness (Mohill, 0-1) for Maxwell; J Holohan for Doonan; P McGreevey for Foley; C McGovern for Canning.

Referee: M Duffy (Sligo).