MAYO advanced to the next round of the Connacht senior football championship with an expected victory over London at Ruislip yesterday, but there were times when London made them look second rate.
Had the home side availed of their scoring opportunities, the visitors could have received one of the most embarrassing results of recent years.
Time and again, fine midfield play by Mick Hesnan and Michael Tucker provided the London forwards with gilt edged scoring openings. But apart from the brilliant Sean McGrellis and substitute Tommy Maguire, the attack was well off target with the more glaring misses coming from Niall Magee and Aidan Creamer.
A goal in the 12th minute by Sean McGrellis, after he received an inch perfect pass from Eamonn Blaney, gave London the lead. They remained ahead until the 29th minute when corner forward Declan Sweeney sidestepped the defence to send the ball past goalkeeper John Collins and give Mayo a half time lead of 1-5 to 1-2.
The fluency one expected from Mayo after their impressive National League campaign was missing and they will need to improve if they hope to overcome Roscommon in three weeks' time.
They were repeatedly caught out of position in defence where only Kevin Cahill, James Nallen and Pat Holmes were able to counter London's aerial supremacy.
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