CLONES — Mayo defeated Monaghan 1-24 to 2-20 in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship first-round match at Clones. Mayo held an 11-point lead at half-time, with a score of 1-17 to 0-9.
Mayo opened strongly, leading 0-11 to 0-3 after 22 minutes. Monaghan failed to score on their first five attacks before Jack McCarron registered their first point from a close-range free in the 11th minute. Jack Carney scored the first two-pointer of the match for Mayo, and the team added five more in the first half. Kobe McDonald scored a goal for Mayo in the first half, assisted by Darragh Beirne’s set-up play. Andrew Woods had an early goal chance saved by Mayo goalkeeper Jack Livingstone, who was making his senior inter-county debut.
Monaghan, returning two weeks after their Ulster final defeat to Armagh, made three changes to their starting lineup, including replacing the injured Stephen O'Hanlon with Ryan McAnespie. Mayo, playing their first match in nearly five weeks following a Connacht semi-final loss to Roscommon, also reshaped their team, with manager Andy Moran making six changes. Diarmuid Duffy and Darragh Beirne debuted in defense and the forward line, respectively. Aidan O'Shea marked his 100th championship appearance, becoming the first outfield player to reach that milestone.
Monaghan mounted a second-half rally. Bobby McCaul, introduced as a half-time substitute, caused problems for Mayo’s full-back line and was denied a goal twice—once by Livingstone and once by the crossbar. He later scored a goal after receiving a pass from Stephen Mooney, who added another goal late in the match. Rory Beggan won Mayo’s kick-out to set up Mooney’s goal. Conor McCarthy scored shortly afterward to cut Mayo’s lead to six points with just over 10 minutes left. Jack McCarron added a two-point effort, and Max Maguire scored a late two-pointer as a consolation. McCaul left the field on a stretcher due to an injury.
Mayo responded with points from Darragh Beirne and Paddy Durcan to extend their lead to seven. Ryan O'Donoghue sealed the win with a late free. Referee David Coldrick of Meath oversaw the match. Mayo now have two chances to reach the All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals, while Monaghan will play in Round 2B of the championship.