Football

Championship round-up: Mayo prove too strong for challenge of Clare

Cillian O'Connor scored one of Mayo's two goals against Clare
Cillian O'Connor scored one of Mayo's two goals against Clare Cillian O'Connor scored one of Mayo's two goals against Clare

All-Ireland SFC Qualifier round 3A: Clare 0-13 Mayo 2-14

The O’Connor brothers, Cillian and Diarmuid, put this game to bed for Mayo with a goal apiece shortly after half-time at Cusack Park.

The Banner county led by 0-8 to 0-6 at half-time, but they couldn’t sustain the intensity they brought to the game early on. David Tubridy, Eoin Cleary and Keelan Sexton all chipped in for Clare, who lost influential midfielder Cathal O’Connor to injury and Ciarán Russell to a black card.

Conor Loftus started for Mayo after his heroics off the bench last weekend against Derry, but he was unable to get his name on the scoresheet this time around. However, the contrast in quality was clear when Mayo were able to introduce substitutes of the calibre of Tom Parsons and Jason Doherty and, ultimately, the gap told on Clare.

All-Ireland SFC Qualifier round 2B: Carlow 2-14 Leitrim 0-13

IT WAS a similar story at Dr Cullen Park as second-half goals from Paul Broderick and Ciarán Moran turned the tables on Leitrim.

Leitrim were two points ahead of Carlow at the break, but they couldn’t sustain their challenge, failing to score again until the 56th minute, and Moran’s goal seven minutes from time confirmed victory for the Barrowsiders. Broderick put over six points in addition to his goal.

Both teams had a player sent-off in a fractious end to the game, with Chris Crowley giving his marching orders for Carlow, while Leitrim’s Brendan Gallagher also saw red.

The draw for the next round of the Qualifiers will take place this morning.