Mayo took advantage of the postponed Monaghan and Cork tie to move into third place in Division 1 of the Bord Gáis Energy National Ladies Football League on Sunday.
The Westerners secured a 1-12 to 0-12 win against last year’s beaten All-Ireland finalists Dublin to move just a single point behind joint leaders Laois and Galway.
All-star forward Cora Staunton was in superb form for Mayo and a haul of ten points, including nine frees, was instrumental in her team’s 1-12 to 0-12 success at Ballyheane.
Staunton was also involved in Mayo’s first half goal as her shot bounced back off the crossbar to Ciara Hanahoe, who picked up the pieces from close range.
Hanahoe’s crucial goal helped Mayo to lead by 1-5 to 0-6 at half-time and the winners survived two sin-binnings in the second half to come away with a hard-fought success.
Midfielders Fiona McLoughlin and Claire Egan were both yellow carded but Mayo dug in to claim a second win from three outings.
Sinead Ahern kicked four points for Dublin and midfielder Kim Flood added three points but the Jackies will be disappointed not to have taken something from this fixture.
Mayo also had goalkeeper Yvonne Byrne to thank for a brilliant double save in the second half as the Connacht outfit moved into contention for a place in the latter stages of the competition.
In Division 2, Tipperary moved into second place behind Armagh as the Premier County won a fiercely contested encounter against Munster rivals Clare in Meelick.
Tipp and Clare will meet again in the senior championship later this year and the visitors struck an early psychological blow by scoring a 1-11 to 1-8 win.
In what was a repeat of the 2008 All-Ireland intermediate final, Tipp led by 0-7 to 1-3 at half-time as Eimear Considine struck a fortuitous first-half goal for the Banner County.
Tipp were the more impressive outfit in the second half and Gillian O’Brien’s goal proved decisive, while Patricia Hickey finished with 0-5 for the winners.
Another boost for Tipperary was the return of the experienced Angie McDermott for her first game of the year, as a second half sub.
In Division 3, Longford moved firmly into contention behind Cavan and Wexford as the Midlanders demolished Wexford by 1-13 to 1-2 at Emmet Park, Killoe.
This tie was as good as over at half-time as the home side led by 1-6 to 0-1 and it was leading scorer Denise Murtagh who struck the Longford goal.
Murtagh finished with a personal haul of 1-7, all seven points from frees, while Tara Moloney responded with a second-half consolation goal for outclassed Wexford.
In Division 4, Antrim moved into second place behind Leitrim following a 2-9 to 1-8 victory at home to Louth.
Kate McMullan and Amy McAtamney were on target with the Antrim goals, while Niamh Reid scored Louth’s second-half goal.
McMullan’s first-half goal proved crucial as the sides finished the first half level at 1-4 to 0-7, before Antrim edged the second half.
