Mayo romp past Longford with double score

MAYO 0-16 LONGFORD 0-8

It was all too easy for John Maughan’s men in Ballina as they scored a double score success over Longford to join Kerry at the top of the pile on six points in Division 1A.

Longford were seeking to bounce back from their heavy at the hands of Tyrone last time out, but shipped a hatful of early scores.

Mayo had recalled forwards Marty McNicholas, in for his first league start of 2004, and Michael Moyles, fresh from Sligo IT’s Sigerson Cup success, and it was Moyles who was among the scorers who saw the Connacht men 0-6 to no score in front after 16 minutes.

Austin O’Malley and Billy Joe Padden were to both notch the brunt of Mayo’s opening scores, with the later ended with 0-3, all from play and off his right and left.

The visitors rallied on 20 minutes with the first of two straight scores from Trevor Smullen.

Full forward Padraig Davis soon found his range from frees (0-2) before O’Malley concluded the half with his fourth point for a 0-9 to 0-5 lead.

It was more of the same in the second half from the Connacht men as O’Malley and Damien Munnelly immediately pointed after the restart, along with McNicholas from a placed ball.

But the Barden brothers, Paul and David clicked into gear for Longford, who had full back Cathal Connefrey starting, as they combined to almost goal for the visitors on 56 minutes.

Paul’s low shot rebounded out from John Healy’s goal only to be put over by David Barden.

Although Davis pointed again late on from two frees, Mayo, and their young attack, were too good.