COLUMN: Kobe debut icing on cake in as Mayo sparkle in Clones

TWO goals and 30 points is spectacular scoring no matter how you look at Sunday’s game. 

Monaghan were poor and lacked the fight you’d always expect from them, but with a side hit hard with injuries, they may be forgiven somewhat.

Mayo still had to get the job done after a poor outing in Donegal last weekend and they put that right - emphatically. 

Thirty six points is the highest score they’ve ever hit, certainly in the modern era, of the National League. 

Five two-pointers in the first half alone helped Mayo to a deserved 0-17 to 0-6 lead at half time with the wind behind their backs, despite Ryan O’Donoghue missing a penalty.

Jack Carney, two monsters for Fergal Boland, one from Darragh Beirne and one from Jordan Flynn had Mayo trucking.

Bob Touhy continued his fine form at midfield and produced another excellent display, which carried through into the second half along with Mayo’s control. 

But inevitably, the story of the second half will be the debut of Kobe McDonald. A sensational 1-4 from the Crossmolina youngster. Everything he touched, quite literally, was gold.

But we’ll get to that. 

Four rounds in, three wins and one loss. It might be a good time to take stock of where Andy Moran's Mayo stand.

The Donegal defeat needed a response.

That was an off day, a system failure more than anything against an experienced outfit who showed again against Armagh on Sunday just how well they are moving right now. 

The best way to answer an off day is to come out and put a team to the sword, and Mayo did exactly that in Clones.

A difficult place to go at the best of times. A difficult team to play against. And Mayo made it look comfortable.

THE SPINE

JORDAN Flynn was the best player on the pitch on Sunday and this columnist is shocked he didn't get man of the match ahead of Tuohy.

To be fair to Tuohy, he put in another excellent display, but Flynn was immense from start to finish.

He does an untold amount of dirty work around the middle that goes unnoticed. Wins breaks. Hunts loose ball. Puts his body on the line. And consistently pops up with scores.

He has a finesse in front of the posts that is only improving with confidence.

Flynn and Tuohy have been Mayo's two most consistent performers across all four games. Alongside David McBrien and Jack Carney in that midfield quartet, those four are nailed on for starters at this stage. 

Sam Callinan is in the form of his short career. He looks to have that energy and directness back, but it’s his kicking and all-round game has improved no end.

He was more confident taking on shots and was unlucky not to register more than a single score at the weekend. 

Paddy Durcan looked like the Paddy Durcan of old. Driving forward, getting into scoring positions, raising white flags – his finest full performance since his return.

Conor Loftus, though in only his first full start had another strong game at half back having been one of the few positives from the Letterkenny outing. 

He looks more and more comfortable at centre back, and the beauty of that is it frees up McBrien to push on. That half back line of Durcan, Loftus and Callinan is looking a real force.

UP FRONT

RYAN O'Donoghue was much improved on Sunday. The Belmullet man will be raging about his missed first-half penalty, but overall can’t be too disappointed from another workmanlike display at centre forward.

Darragh Beirne got his scores when Mayo needed them in the first half, looked threatening throughout, did well to win the penalty and nailed a nice two-pointer.

It’s going to be extremely hard for Andy Moran to leave him out if he keeps this form up.

Fergal Boland was equally impressive in that opening half and should have done more than enough to claim a jersey for next week.

Particularly given the lack of form and fitness of James Carr and Tommy Conroy. 

Aghamore’s Boland has started two games at corner forward and made a big impact in both, not to mention what he can contributes outside of that. 

Aidan O'Shea bounced back from a poor game against Donegal with a much better return. Put in a huge shift and was rewarded with a well-taken goal. 

The game suited him on Sunday. But the way Mayo are looking to play, around the middle isn’t suited to his game anymore.  

THE QUESTION MARK

There are still question marks over Mayo, and places up for grabs. 

Jack Coyne had a difficult afternoon again. Enda Hession has been inconsistent but is showing signs of improvement.

His performance on Sunday was good and he needs to keep that going. While Mayo look more assured with Donnacha McHugh at full back.

That said, it feels like the full back line is where Moran and Colm Boyle are least convinced about their selections just now.

THE YOUNG FELLA FROM DEEL ROVERS

It would be criminal not to mention Kobe.

When you're 18 years old and making your Mayo debut, and every single thing you touch turns to gold, it doesn’t really get any better. 

His 1-4 came with the kind of ease that would depress us all who find even the basic skills difficult. 

That goal was sensational. 

To strike a ball with that accuracy at that pace is something special. His four points were no different. All tough chances, all dispatched like he'd been doing it at this level for years.

There is something cruel about watching it, knowing it’s for a short time only.

It must be said, well done to his brother Jordan, who quickly made his way over to him at full time and made sure to get him off the field as quick as possible and avoid a scrum of supporters.

No need to heighten the fuss. 

It will be interesting to see how Moran manages him from here. Does he start next weekend? Does he get eased in off the bench again? Because for all the excitement, he is still only 18 years old. 

The temptation will be there to throw him straight in, but the smart play is to protect him.

So four games in, Mayo are in a good place. 

The spine is strong. The scoring is spread and the confidence is building. 

But there’s a hell of a lot of football to be played yet.