Mayo win in Omagh and are back in the race for Sam

ALL IRELAND FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP, GROUP 1, ROUND 2

Tyrone 1-13

Mayo 2-17

In Omagh

THIRTEEN days after the world seemed to fall in on Mayo football the young men in green and red went to Omagh and rolled back the clouds. The team from the western sea were rank outsiders before the start of tonight's match in Omagh but long before the final whistle there were hordes of Tyrone supporters leaving Healy Park as their side was out-played, out-fought and out-scored by a ravenous Mayo side who played with spirit and energy.

Paddy Durcan started for the first time in 13 months and the team captain injected a sense of savage urgency into proceedings. Sean Morahan, Bob Tuohy and Conal Dawson also came into the starting team and all made crucial impressions as Mayo began well.

Tyrone looked lethargic at times and were cleaned out around the middle of the pitch in the opening half. The loss of their midfielder Brian Kennedy before the match left them without a spiritual leader and Mayo made hay.

The guests were 0-4 to 0-1 clear after 15 minutes and had stretched that gap to six on the half hour mark. Two of Mayo's points arrived from full-back Rory Brickenden who was popping up all over the pitch. However, two Darren McCurry points seemed to have initiated a Tyrone revival just before the break. Then, Mayo played keep-ball to run down the clock, and after the hooter sounded Bob Tuohy kicked for a point. The ball dropped short in the goalmouth and Darren McHale stuck it in the net.

That left the men from Connacht with a 1-8 to 0-4 lead at the break, but Tyrone came out after the break determined to fight their way back into it. Two points arrived in quick succession and then Darragh Canavan blazed home a fantastic goal to close the gap to three.

Scores and chances came and went at each end, but when Niall Morgan closed the gap to a single point after 54 minutes Mayo were being asked serious questions. They answered those queries with huge hunger and determination. Jack Carney, Durcan and Ryan O'Donoghue all pointed and when explosive substitute Davitt Neary was taken down for a penalty seven minutes from the end, O'Donoghue planted it in the net and Mayo were on the way to victory.

Afterwards, Stephen Rochford said he was 'Mighty' when asked how he felt at the final whistle. It was hard to disagree with him.

A full match report and reaction from Mayo and Tyrone camps will be carried Tuesday's Mayo News.