Mayo went to Killarney and took the All-Ireland champions scalp
With both teams in change strips, Kerry v Mayo didn’t look like Kerry v Mayo but the new management team of the Connacht champions won’t mind too much. Pat Holmes and Noel Connelly saw their charges get their Allianz League campaign off to the perfect start, with a win over All Ireland champions Kerry in Killarney.
Kerry took an early lead in their blue shirts but a goal by Alan Freeman in the 23rd minute of the first half helped them to a comfortable 1-7 to 0-4 lead.
Kerry upped their game in the second half, keeping Mayo virtually scoreless for a long spell but they could not find enough scores at the other end to erase the gap the goal created.
Tommy Walsh was introduced mid-way through the second half but the returning star couldn’t help his colleagues find a way back in the game. All hope for the home side was extinguished when Kevin McLoughlin lashed home a second Mayo goal with about 10 minutes left on the clock. In the end it was the two goals that was effectively the difference with the Connacht champions winning 2-11 to 0-10.
The only low point for Mayo was the injury suffered by Evan Regan after an awkward fall early in the game. Here is the post game diagnosis of his injuries.
Evan Regan is currently been assessed by the medical team at Tralee Hospital for a suspected broken clavicle and suspected concussion.
— Mayo GAA (@MayoGAA) February 1, 2015
Meanwhile, at Páirc Uà Rinn, Dublin and Cork played out a stormer that eventually went the way of the home side. A Jamie O’Sullivan goal had the Leesiders in front after 15 minutes but a steady stream of Dublin points pulled Jim Gavin’s side back into it and Cork lead by just one at the break, 1-7 to 0-9.
The teams were level on a number of occasions in the second half but eventually Cork pulled away as they held Dublin to just one point in the final 16 minutes. The final score, 1-15 to 0-16, was the sort of hard-fought win that will delight Brian Cuthbert.
In Division 2, Kildare and Down served up a defensive struggle that was in the balance right to the finish. It even included a penalty save by sub Down keeper Steven Kane.
It looked for all the world that Kildare were simply too strong against a Down side that suffered two black cards in the second half but then Down scored two goals and a point in 90 seconds at the end of the game to steal the win in Newbridge.
Unbelievable finish as 2-1 in last 90 secs see Down beat Kildare in Newbridge #AllainzLeagues pic.twitter.com/iHp4wyMVhZ
— SportsJOE.ie (@SportsJOEdotie) February 1, 2015
Also in Division 2 there were wins for Galway (over Meath) and Westmeath (over Laois) while Roscommon and Antrim drew.
In Division 3, Limerick beat Sligo, Clare hammered Wexford, 1-16 to 0-5 while Armagh eked out a one-point win over Tipperary, 2-8 to 0-13.
In Division 4 Offaly beat London, while Longford and Leitrim, plus Antrim and Carlow, ended in draws
