Dillon sparkles as champions Ballintubber get flying start
Former All Star Dillon was in scintillating form, scoring 1-6 from open play, as Anthony McGarry’s charges cantered to a facile 3-12 to 1-7 victory over Westport.
Kevin McGuinness and Alan Plunkett also contributed goals.
In the same group, John Maughan’s Crossmolina saw off the persistent challenge of Garrymore.
The ex-Mayo manager watched his team eventually prevail by 2-10 to 1-11 thanks to a late goal from former Mayo minor James Cafferty and points from Paul Duffy and Brian Benson, who also converted a penalty.
The meeting of 2008 winners Ballaghaderreen and 2009 champions Charlestown was the match of the day.
The East Mayo derby ended in a 1-12 to 0-12 victory for Ballagh’ as they hit four late points from Andy Moran (free), Andy Hanley, Dessie Keegan and Barry Regan.
The home side played the final 20 minutes with only 14 men after the dismissal of Patrick Walsh.
However, seven points from frees from Martin Mulvaney put Charlestown in the driving seat entering the closing stages before they were overhauled by Ballaghaderreen’s big finish.
Knockmore, one of the title favourites, were sensationally beaten by Kiltane in Bangor Erris.
Ray Dempsey’s charges lost out by 1-12 to 1-10 against their North Mayo neighbours as former Mayo forward Mikie Sweeney struck 1-1 for Kiltane.
Shane Lindsay also contributed five points for the homeside with Edmond Barrett helping himself to three points.
In the same group, Breaffy overcame Ballinrobe with the minimum of effort as they cruised to a 1-10 to 0-6 away win.
The O’Shea brothers, Aidan and Seamus, were both to the fore while Colum Lyons scored their goal.
Last year’s Mayo Intermediate championship winners, Tourmakeady, crashed to an 0-11 to 0-7 defeat away to Claremorris on their return to the top flight.
Shrule/Glencorrib, who lined out without the injured Conor Mortimer, also got to a winning start with a hard-fought and low-scoring one point win over former All-Ireland club champions Ballina Stephenites.
In difficult weather conditions, a Stephen Hughes goal from a penalty helped Ballina to a half-time lead of 1-0 to 0-2.
However, Shrule/Glencorrib hit back in the second-half with a goal from David Geraghty and Brian Murphy popped up to grab the winning score as the South Mayo side snatched a 1-4 to 1-3 victory.
Pat Holmes watched his Castlebar Mitchels side stroll to a convincing 3-14 to 1-6 win away to Aghamore.
Mayo manager James Horan was also among the crowd as former county star Barry Moran turned in a commanding performance at midfield for last year’s beaten county finalists.
In the Mayo Intermediate championship, injured Mayo defender Keith Higgins made his return to competitive action as Ballyhaunis beat Parke in their opening game of the competition.
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