Mortimer shines as Mayo edge out Donegal

Mayo 2-10 Donegal 1-11, Ballina

Star forward Conor Mortimer hit a goal and four points in Ballina as 2004 All-Ireland finalists Mayo got off the mark for the second attempt in Division 1A - edging a dogged Donegal side 2-10 to 1-11.

John Maughan's side led by as much as five points at one stage, with the Mortimer brothers - Conor and Trevor in fine form - but they had to rely on two late Alan Dillon frees to eventually secure the points.

The westerners led 0-07 to 0-06 at the break after a topsy-turvy opening. John Prenty, Conor Mortimer (0-02) and James Gill were on target as Mayo went 0-04 to 0-01 in front, but a brace from Brian Bradley, and singles from Brian Roper and centre back Barry Monaghan soon had the visitors back in contention.

Mortimer and Gary Mullins exchanged further points with Colm McFadden and Rory Kavanagh - an outstanding young talent - to establish the one-point gap.

Kavanagh and Monaghan combined after the restart to point Brian McEniff's men in front. Nonetheless, a quick snipe along the Donegal end line saw substitute Trevor Mortimer set up Conor for a neat 48th-minute goal finish - and a 1-07 to 0-08 lead.

Six minutes later, Mayo had a second as Dillon moved them two goals clear. Three quick-fire Donegal points and Christy Toye's late goal levelled things up, but Dillon was on hand twice, to settle the decision.