Kobe McDonald stars off the bench as Mayo easily account for Monaghan

The AFL-bound Kobe McDonald scored 1-4 for Mayo, including a two-pointer, in a 15-minute cameo off the bench for Mayo in Clones

Mayo's Kobe McDonald celebrates after scoring his side's second goal against Monahan with Aidan O'Shea. Pic: ©INPHO/Tom Maher

National Football League Division 1: Monaghan 2-11 Mayo 2-30 

Mayo returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion with a comprehensive victory over Monaghan in Clones. 

An already very satisfying day for Andy Moran took on an extra dimension with the introduction of 18-year-old AFL recruit Kobe McDonald, who plundered 1-4 from play in a tantalising display of his talent.

Bob Tuohy’s display at midfield was another big positive for Mayo, who kept their foot on the pedal after kicking five two-pointers with the breeze in the first half, including a late brace from Fergal Boland. Rory Beggan’s absence added to Monaghan’s growing list as they fell to a fourth consecutive defeat of a trying league campaign.

Despite Ryan O’Donoghue blazing a penalty over the bar, Mayo led by 0-17 to 0-6 at half-time, courtesy of Boland’s double-double, with Darragh Beirne, Jack Carney and Jordan Flynn also accounting for orange flags. Micheál Bannigan kicked three first-half points for Monaghan, but they were left with an uphill task after Mayo’s late flourish.

Jack McCarron hit 1-2 within ten minutes of his introduction as Monaghan briefly threatened to close the gap, but Aidan O’Shea’s goal put a stop to that as Mayo fired in a flurry of scores midway through the half.

Starlet McDonald was outstanding during that spell, with his personal highlights reel featuring a brilliantly-taken goal and a two-pointer into the breeze. Debutant Robbie Hanratty flicked to the net for Monaghan, but Mayo finished with another burst, ending with a remarkable tally of 2-30 from ten marksmen.

Scorers for Monaghan: J McCarron 1-2 (0-1f); M Bannigan 0-4 (1f); R Hanratty 1-0; S O’Hanlon 0-2 (1 2-pt); A Woods 0-2 (1f); M McCarville 0-1.

Scorers for Mayo: K McDonald 1-4 (1 2-pt); D Beirne (1 2-pt-f, 1f), F Boland (2 2-pt), J Flynn (1 2-pt) 0-5 each; A O’Shea 1-1; R O’Donoghue 0-4 (1f, 1 pen); J Carney (1 2-pt), P Durcan 0-2 each; S Callinan, R Hennelly (’45) 0-1 each.

MONAGHAN: K Mulligan; R Wylie, R Mohan, C Dowd; D Ward, R O’Toole, D McElearney; M McCarville, G Mohan; O McGorman, A Carey, T Hughes; M Bannigan, A Woods, S O’Hanlon.

Subs: J McCarron for McElearney (H-T); R Hanratty for Hughes (49); K Gallagher for G Mohan, E Walsh for McGorman (both 56); F Carolan for Woods (66).

MAYO: R Hennelly; E Hession, D McHugh, J Coyne; S Callinan, C Loftus, P Durcan; B Tuohy, D McBrien; J Flynn, R O’Donoghue, J Carney; D Beirne, A O’Shea, F Boland.

Subs: K McDonald for Beirne (52); M Plunkett for Loftus (54); P Towey for Carney, S Morahan for Durcan (both 58); S Coen for Boland (62).

Referee: D Gough (Meath).