Mayo 0-10 Leitrim 0-6:CONOR MORTIMER was produced as a second-half impact substitute as Mayo got their FBD League campaign off to a winning start in mild and calm conditions at Ballyhaunis yesterday.
Mortimer, who was out for over a year with a cruciate ligament injury, helped himself to two points while he also set up Darren Coen for Mayo’s sixth point to put Mayo ahead with 20 minutes to go.
Coen, Danny Kirby and Colm Boyle were among a handful of newcomers to impress for Mayo. Kirby, Enda Varley, Coen and Boyle all hit the target from play in that first half but Leitrim dominated the last 10 minutes to draw level at the break.
Gerry Hickey was on target from play while frees from James Glancy, Ray Cox and a superb 45 from goalkeeper Cathal McCrann had the game tied at 0-4 each at the break. Early points were traded by Varley (free) and Paddy McGowan before Mortimer was introduced and with his first touch he set up Coen for the lead point.
Mayo then kicked four clear with super sub Mortimer landing two from play before tacking on a free. The other came from the top scorer Varley in a game which ended with Mayo’s Donal Vaughan being sent off on a second yellow.
MAYO: D Clarke; S McHale, E Reilly, L Keegan; P Gardiner, D Vaughan, C Boyle (0-1); B Moran, S O’Shea; K McLoughlin, P Harte, D Kirby (0-1); E Varley (0-4, 0-3 frees), D Coen (0-2), M Conroy. Subs: C Mortimer (0-2, 0-1 free) for Harte (40 mins), G Cafferkey for McHale (49 mins), R Feene for McLoughlin (50 mins).
LEITRIM: C McCrann (0-1, 45); A Wynne, C Egan, P McGuire; D Beck, J Glancy, W McKeon; P McGowan (0-1), D Lowe; P Brennan, C Clarke, G Hickey (0-1); R Lowe, J Glancy (0-1), R Cox (0-1, free). Subs: D Gilhooly for Glancy (52 mins), D Sweeney (0-1) for McGowan (53 mins).
Referee: M Duffy (Sligo).
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