Dublin 0-12 Mayo 2-11
MAYO have heaped the misery on Dublin with a historic victory at Croke Park which leaves Dessie Farrell’s men deep in the relegation mire.
The five-point win was Mayo’s first on the road against Dublin in the League since the 1971 semi-final and it was their first ever away win over the Dubs in a round robin fixture in the 96-year history of the competition.
Following losses to Armagh and Kerry already, this defeat means that Dublin have lost three consecutive League games for the first time since 2001, when Farrell was captain of the side.
With four games remaining against Kildare, Tyrone Donegal and Monaghan, Dublin have it all to do to avoid relegation, particularly with three of those games on the road.
From the off, Dublin were wide open defensively as Jordan Flynn fed Diarmuid O’Connor from the throw-in, the Ballintubber man opting for a point from an ever-tightening angle though, briefly, the goal was on.
Matthew Ruane doubled Mayo’s lead but they conceded the initiative to a Dublin side that was looking rather jittery in the opening stages as they searched for their first points of the campaign.
Dublin slowly settled, with Ciaran Kilkenny showing leadership from full-forward, and moved 0-4 to 0-2 clear by the 15th minute with the help of a pair of Dean Rock frees, though Matthew Ruane and Oisin Mullin, making his first appearance since deciding against a career in the AFL, drew Mayo level.
After a Kilkenny mark restored Dublin’s lead, the first big moment of the evening arrived as Mayo struck for the first goal in the 21st minute. O’Connor did brilliantly to hold off Michael Fitzsimons by the Hogan Stand sideline before scooping the ball up and releasing Jack Carney. Evan Comerford saved his shot onto the post but was most unfortunate to see the ball rebound against the back of his head back over the line.
