Mayo masters pipped by Sligo

Masters Round 1
Sligo 0-10
Mayo 1-6

A VALIANT late rally wasn't enough for the Mayo Masters to claim victory over Sligo in the opening round of the Masters football championship in Swinford on Thursday evening. 

A Michael McNamara goal in the 55th minute, followed by a point from Crossmolina's Michael Moyles, looked to have set up a grandstand finish.

However, even with Sligo reduced to 13 men, Mayo were unable to close the one-point gap. 

The hosts were second best in many areas of the field for most of the game. 

A faster, more cohesive Sligo won the first half 0-6 0-3 as Mayo struggled to find their rhythm and were the victim of several self-inflicted errors. 

Led by the impressive Liam Rossiter, the Yeats men were six points ahead in the last ten minutes despite the red card dismissal of Trevor Sweeney. 

Mayo rallied with 1-2 in the final stanza but couldn't find the leveller. 

For the full report plus reaction from John Reilly and Michael Moyles, read Tuesday's edition of The Mayo News. 

Mayo
Kieran O'Malley (Bunniconlon); Dermott Hughes (Northern Gaels), Sean Leneghan (Charlestown), Pat Mulchrone (Kilmeena); Jarlath McDonagh (Kilmaine), Michael Gallagher (Crossmolina), Brian Hennelly (Castlebar Mitchels); Michael Moyles (0-3, 3fs, Crossmolina), Liam Heanue (0-2, Kilmeena); Mick Regan (Curry), Michael McNamara (1-0, Achill), Tomás Colleran (Ballaghadereen); Daniel Breslin (Ballycastle), Eddie Conroy (Breaffy), Michael Prendergast (0-1, Castlebar Mitchels)

Subs: Stephen Connelly (Garrymore); John Rowley (Swinford); John Clarke (Lacken); Gary Naughton (Lahardane); John Reilly (Kilmeena); Myles Fallon (Kilmaine) Brendan Mooney (Kiltimagh); Greg Roger (Salthill/Knocknacarra); Richard Burke (Ballycastle); Alan McDonnell (Balla); Tommie Joyce (Achill); Sean McCaughey (Westport); Kevin Doyle (Swinford); Davey Keane (Burrishoole); JP Sheridan (Burrishoole); Declan Doyle (Ballyhaunis).

Sligo
Darren Kerins; Damien Kelly, Nigel Clancy, Trevor Sweeney; Sean Stagg, Shane Dunne, Colin Neary (0-2); Brian Óg Murphy, Ross Donavan; Declan Cawley (0-2), Peter Lyons (0-1), Aaron Nicholson; Alan Bowens, Ian Rossiter (0-4, 3f), John McGowen

Subs: John Paul Carden, Richard McLoughlin, John Harvey, Kenny Gallagher, Johnny Martyn (0-1).

Referee: Kieran Quinn (Galway)