Mayo need extra-time to beat Derry

Mayo needed extra-time to beat Derry 2-21 to 1-13 in Saturday's SFC Round 2A Qualifier at MacHale Park in Castlebar.

However, Stephen Rochford's side, who came through the qualifiers last year to make the All-Ireland final, may be without Lee Keegan for the third round qualifier, after the Westport clubman limped out of the game with a leg injury.

Mayo were wasteful from open play, 0-08 to 0-07 down at half-time, but Derry were indebted to goalkeeper Ben McKinless for two crucial saves to keep Mayo at bay in the second half. 

The first was a fine low block to his left from Cillian O'Connor after Andy Moran's effort had hit the far post, then the 18-year-old denied Moran with another sharp stop.

But he could do nothing with substitute Conor Loftus' late stunning strike into the corner to give Mayo a two-point lead, then the 22-year-old seemed to wrap up victory in the 69th minute with only Mayo's fourth point from open play.

But Derry levelled in the 70th minute with substitute Mark Lynch's punch into goal from Carlos McWilliam's ball into the box, to make it 1-12 apiece.

But, two points up in extra-time, McKinless gifted Mayo their second goal of the afternoon with a misplaced short pass that was intercepted and finished by Jason Doherty.

Derry had a great chance to get back into the game seven minutes into extra-time, but Mayo goalkeeper David Clarke made a good stop from James Kielt's penalty low to his left, and the Oak Leaf County were done and dusted even with a man advantage following Paddy Durcan's red card for an off-the-ball incident.

Mayo ended up scoring 1-09 in the 20 minutes of extra-time, compared to Derry's lone point.

Jamie Malone and Keelan Sexton scored second-half goals as Clare beat Laois 2-18 to 0-14 in Portlaoise to book their place in Round 3.

Eoin Cleary scored nine points against the O'Moore County, who had John O’Loughlin sent off for a second yellow card seven minutes into the second half.

Donegal are also into the third round of the qualifiers after a 0-12 to 0-7 victory over 14-man Longford at Ballybofey.

Longford were well in the game at 0-05 apiece until James McGivney was shown a second yellow card in the 49th minute.

Meath scored four points in the final five minutes to book their place in Monday's third qualifier round draw with a 0-14 to 1-9 victory over Sligo at Pairc Tailteann.

Image: Inpho/Tommy Dickson

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