Last year’s beaten All-Ireland finalists, Mayo are through to round 4 of the qualifiers after getting the better of Clare, in front of a big crowd in Ennis.
The Banner County led at the break, 0-8 to 0-6 but could not withstand the pressure of the Mayo attack.
Unfortunately for Clare, they couldn’t keep their performance up to that standard for the 70 minutes as they were well beaten in the end, losing 2-14 to 0-13.
It was two goals in the space of a couple of minutes that broke the hearts of the Munster men, as they exited the championship. That said, the last two seasons have seen a huge improvement and, under Colm Collins, this is a good Clare side.
However, they are out and Mayo are in the last 12 – just one win away from returning to Croke Park.
A defensive error saw Mayo get their first goal, while some super build-up play, and a top-class finish doubled Mayo’s goal tally and brought them on their way to the victory.
Two goals in two minutes from the O'Connor brothers have @MayoGAA ahead in their SFC Qualifier! #GAAclips pic.twitter.com/fc11sOTuI5
— eir Sport (@eirSport) July 8, 2017
Brothers Cillian and Diarmuid O’Connor got the goals as the men from the west got the win.
After needing extra time to get past Derry last week, this was another tough test for the team that won five Connacht titles in a row up to 2015. Last year’s qualifier run saw them involved all the way until September, and Stephen Rochford will be hoping that they can repeat that feat this time around.
Yes gwan mayo….slow to start again though…. but good game #gaa
— Paula Gallagher (@PaulaCoMayo) July 8, 2017
✅❤️ well done lads @MayoGAA – looking forward to more of that !
— Mayo Association Dub (@MayoAssociation) July 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/Seannn__/status/883747579066015745
Massive shifts from Higgins, McLoughlin and @AIDOXI today @MayoGAA
— Brendan Lynskey (@BrendanLynskey1) July 8, 2017
Despite their season being over, Clare can be proud of their effort.
Game petering out – Clare brilliant in first half, but afterwards had nothing more to give.
— Joe Ó Muircheartaigh (@muirioch) July 8, 2017
It wasn’t easy, but Mayo came to Ennis with one thing in mind: Get into the draw for the next round. They did this and will look forward to seeing who they draw on Monday morning.
Joel Slattery, Pundit Arena
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Can Clare’s hurlers do better than the footballers? We preview the Munster hurling final in the latest episode of The 16th Man.
https://soundcloud.com/punditarenagaa/we-hear-from-brian-cody-john-kiely-ger-cunningham-and-discuss-the-latest-gaa-news
Read More About: cillian o'connor, clare, Diarmuid O'Connor, gaa news, mayo, qualifiers, stephen rochford
