Mayo came through a battle against Kerry in Castlebar this afternoon to earn their second win in Division 1 and move three points clear of the relegation spots after the first of this weekend’s Allianz Football League matches.

It finished 0-21 to 1-16 at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, where late points from Ryan O’Donoghue (free) and Matthew Ruane were what ended up proving the difference between the teams in the end.

Kevin McStay’s side made an electric start in front of their home crowd which saw them running up a 0-8 to 0-3 lead by the midway point of the first-half.

O’Donoghue, who finished with 0-9, Frank Irwin and Jack Carney were among the hosts’ scorers in the early stages and they’d be nine points to the good before Brian O'Beaglaoich found their net two minutes before the break.

A sublime O’Donoghue two-pointer from the sideline sent Mayo in at half-time with a 0-14 to 1-4 lead, but the second-half would see the Munster champions eating into it and eventually hitting the front with a David Clifford two-pointer in the 58th minute.

A Clifford free doubled the Kingdom’s advantage before David McBrien and Fergal Boland sailed over scores at the other end and the closing five minutes would see O’Donoghue steering the Westerners back in front and Ruane providing what proved the insurance score as Kerry were dealt their third loss of the campaign.

Full Time score from Hastings Insurance MacHale Park.

Well done Lads 💪 pic.twitter.com/Gj3SThD2Za

— Mayo GAA (@MayoGAA) March 1, 2025

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