James Carr scored two goals as Mayo continued their perfect start to the season with a comprehensive Allianz League Division Two North victory over Meath at a sweltering MacHale Park in Castlebar.

Both of these sides were looking to build momentum heading into the Division 2 play-off semi-finals, having already qualified before this encounter.

And the result was already well beyond doubt at half-time when the hosts took a massive 3-11 to 1-05 advantage at the interval.

Carr (2) and Cillian O'Connor had already scored goals to cancel out the early effort from Meath's Bryan McMahon.

And although Bryan Menton scored another consolation after half-time, Meath were way off the pace.

Mayo raced into a 0-03 to 0-00 lead after just six minutes in perfect conditions for football.

Darren McHale scored their first point and the incredibly accurate Cillian O'Connor tapped over two points, one from a free and the other from a mark.

Jack O'Connor, who was one of the seven late additions to the Meath panel, scored the first point for the visitors from wide out on the right in the eighth minute.

Then the free-takers Cillian O'Connor and Jack Flynn exchanged scores, and Michael Plunkett extended Mayo's lead before Meath struck the first goal.

The Mayo defence had looked susceptible to attacks down the middle against Westmeath last weekend, and Jason Scully burst through the cover only for his shot to be saved well by Robbie Hennelly.

But McMahon was on hand to finish the rebound to the net.

That score meant the teams were level, 0-05 to 1-02, at the end of the opening quarter.

However, Mayo rallied and scored twice heading into the water-break. Matthew Ruane and Fergal Boland ensured Mayo were in the ascendency going into the first break.

Mayo blitzed Meath on the resumption and scored an unanswered 2-01 to pull clear.

Bryan Walsh was hauled down by the Meath goalscorer McMahon for a penalty and Cillian O'Connor finished the ball past Harry Hogan.

Carr had registered a couple of wides at this stage but he palmed the ball to the net moments later to give Mayo an unassailable 2-07 to 1-02 advantage.

Carr, Cillian O'Connor, McHale and Bryan Walsh all scored before half-time and then, after Matthew Ruane sent in a high delivery, Carr caught the ball turned instantly and shot a bullet of an effort, down low to Hogan's left.

Mayo were 12 points clear at half-time but that gap was down to seven after eight minutes.

Eamon Wallace and Conlon both scored and then Jason Scully's pass was caught by Bryan Menton who hit an unstoppable shot into the roof of the Mayo net.

Mayo were 3-12 to 2-08 in arrears but the returning Aidan O'Shea steadied things after his introduction in the 47th minute.

Substitute Michael Newman and Ruane traded scores but Mayo were clear as both managers explored their benches.

The competitiveness was zapped from there and while Paul Towey came off the bench to scored three points for Mayo, Michael Newman helped himself to four, but Mayo cruised to the win.

Mayo: Rob Hennelly; Eoin O'Donoghue, Oisin Mullin, Lee Keegan; Michael Plunkett (0-01), Stephen Coen, Fergal Boland (0-01); Matthew Ruane (0-02), Jack Carney; Diarmuid O'Connor, Darren McHale (0-02), Bryan Walsh (0-02); Ryan O'Donoghue, Cillian O'Connor 1-04 (1-00 pen, 0-02f, 0-01m), James Carr (2-01).

Subs: Colm Boyle for Lee Keegan (half-time), Paul Towey (0-03, 0-02f) for Cillian O'Connor (half-time), Eoghan McLaughlin for Fergal Boland (47), Aidan O'Shea (0-01) for Jack Carney (47), Darren Coen for Ryan O'Donoghue (61), Jordan Flynn for Darren McHale (63), Tommy Conroy for James Carr (65).

Meath: Harry Hogan; Seamus Lavin, Conor McGill, Eoin Harkin; Jack O'Connor (0-01), Bryan McMahon (1-00), Cathal Hickey; Bryan Menton (1-00), David Dillon; Eamon Wallace (0-02), Jason Scully, Jack Flynn (0-01, 0-01f); Joey Wallace, Darragh Campion, James Conlon (0-04, 0-03f).

Subs: Shane McEntee for McMahon (half-time), Donal Keogan for Cathal Hickey (half-time), Padraic Harnan for David Dillon (half-time), Danny Dixon for Darragh Campion (40), Michael Newman (0-04, 0-03f) for Jason Scully (50), Ronan Ryan for James Conlon (50), Liam Byrne for Harry Hogan (50).

Referee: Martin McNally (Monaghan).