Donegal beaten by Mayo in Sligo challenge match

Donegal went down to Mayo in a challenge match played at Markievicz Park in Sligo this afternoon.

Donegal 2-11 Mayo 1-19

Declan Bonner’s team were the better side in the first half, going in at the break 2-8 to 1-8 in front with Oisin Gallen scoring a goal and three points. Lee Keegan was the Mayo goalscorer.

However, Mayo took charge in the second half with the Ulster champions only scoring three points. Michael Murphy hit the crossbar with a penalty and Mayo’s Cillian O’Connor also failed from the spot.

Spurred on by the introduction of James Durcan, Mayo won the second half 0-11 to 0-3, with Durcan accounting for four of their points

Ryan McHugh, Patrick McBrearty, Eoin McHugh and Andrew McClean are part of the Kilcar set-up and Naomh Conaill’s Ciaran Thompson, Ethan O’Donnell, Eoghan McGettigan and Jeaic Mac Ceallbhuí are Naomh Conaill players. All eight were given the day off ahead of the Donegal SFC final on October 11.

Donegal resume their Allianz League Division 1 campaign seven days’ later, with Mayo in danger of relegation and due to meet Galway. Donegal round off their campaign the following weekend away to Kerry before the Ulster SFC quarter-final against Tyrone in Ballybofey on Sunday, November 1.