Three Mayo footballers who caught our eye against Donegal 

Mayo are through to their second National Football League Division 1 final in three seasons. A defeat to Donegal would have meant relegation and a draw would have meant nothing, but the win has set up a final meeting with Kerry in Croke Park next weekend.

Here are three Mayo players who caught our eye in the win over Donegal. 

Jack Carney 

Top drawer stuff from the Kilmeena man. Last week, Matthew Ruane was Mayo’s standout midfielder. Ruane was solid again today, but second to Carney, who kicked 1-3 in a stellar showing that will put him firmly in contention for a starting jersey come championship. 

Carney had a quieter second half but made a vital catch towards the end to help secure the win for Mayo. 

Ryan O’Donoghue

Him again. The Bullet from Belmullet struck six points, including two two-pointers (one free). The one he got from play was hit from so far out it had to be seen to be believed. 

Despite not seeing as much of the ball as he did against Derry, O’Donoghue gave another fine display which enhanced his reputation as one of the best corner-forwards in the business. 

He is, without a doubt, Mayo’s indispensable player.

Frank Irwin 

He took a while to get into the game, but when Irwin got the ball he used it well, kicking three points with the number 14 on his back. 

His interplay with Ryan O’Donoghue and Aidan O’Shea was intriguing, with O’Shea drifting out the field on occasion to reinforce the Mayo middle eight. 

With 1-12 to his name so far this year, Irwin finally seems to have moved from the fringes to the starting 15 for Mayo.