First defeat for Holmes

Despite playing into a gale-force wind and trailing by only two points at the break, Mayo contrived to lose their opening game under new manager Pat Holmes at Celtic Park yesterday against a Derry side which was superb in the second half.

Playing into the conditions, Derry reverted to a short passing game which Mayo failed to contain and the home side ran out deserving winners in a match that was a largely disappointing affair.

With the wind at their backs in the first half, Derry were expected to build a substantial lead, but they failed to do so and led by only two points thanks to some poor passing and tenacious Mayo defending.

It was the visitors who opened the scoring after just 57 seconds when Colm McManaman scored what proved to be Mayo's only point from play.

From then on Derry dominated and points from Paddy Bradley, Ronan Rocks, Bradley again and a Dermot Heaney score from halfway had the home side 0-4 to 0-1 ahead at the end of the first quarter.

Mayo fought back with a brace of Kevin O'Neill frees before Gerard Cassidy pointed to leave Derry 0-5 to 0-3 ahead at the break.

Mayo were expected to take control in the second half but no one accounted for the determination of the Derry defence and from the first whistle to last they played a short passing game which Mayo failed to contain.

Rocks and O'Neill traded frees early on, before Bradley added his third point of the afternoon to stretch Derry's advantage.

Despite another O'Neill point, Derry were in control and when they added further points from Rocks (two) and McBride, they had done enough to secure victory. Mayo's only reply was O'Neill's fifth free of the afternoon.

Afterwards Derry boss Eamonn Coleman expressed his delight at his side's performance. "What side in the country can afford to loose nine first choice players and still beat the Connacht champions? We were superb today and while it wasn't the prettiest of games, we showed we are capable of beating anyone".

DERRY: O McCloskey; R Dougan, SM Lockhart, E McGilloway; P McFlynn, R Lynch, G Coleman; D Heaney (0-1), R Rocks (0-4); J McBride (0-1), D Dougan, B Gillis; G Cassidy (0-1), E Muldoon, P Bradley (0-3). Subs: K McKeever for Gillis, S McLarnon for Cassidy and A Lagan for Muldoon.

MAYO: P Burke; K Mortimer, K McCahill, A Higgins; D Higgins, J Mallen, A Roche; D Heaney, G Smith; E Lavelle, C MacManaman (0-1), G Brady; M Smith, K McDonald, K O'Neill (0-5). Subs: S Carolan for Brady, K Filan for Smith.

Referee: G McCabe (Dublin).