Mayo 0-16 Donegal 2-11

A 74th-minute goal from wing back Eamon McGee saw Donegal chalk up their second NFL Division 1 win at Castlebar.

In a repeat of last year's top flight final, four early points from Conor Mortimer set Mayo on their way to a 0-11 to 0-07 half-time lead with Colm McFadden hitting five in reply.

Mayo's Shane Nallen saved a McFadden penalty but Donegal netted in the 40th-minute thanks to a fisted Ryan Bradley effort.

Mortimer and Alan Dillon kept Mayo ahead, but McGee's right foot had the final say.

In summer-like conditions, the football was fast and furious during a well-contested first half and Mortimer landed a lovely left-footed score to get Mayo off the mark.

The diminutive DCU star operated in a two-man full-forward line alongside Andy Moran and made the most of the quick feed into him.

Donegal started with Michael Boyle in goal, instead of regular net minder Paul Durcan, while Kevin Rafferty partnered Neil Gallagher in midfield with Ciaran Bonner ruled out due to a hamstring injury.

Moran and Keith Higgins, who darted up from his wing back station, kept Mayo ticking over with well-taken points but the Mayo rearguard was struggling to cope with an all-action display by Colm McFadden.

The St Michael's marksman, who had three markers on him at different stages during the match, kicked all five of Donegal's points inside the opening 19 minutes.

But his finishing let him down when he was presented with the penalty chance.

Kevin McMenamin won the spot kick for the Tir Chonaill men when he was fouled by Liam O'Malley but young league debutant Nallen managed to tip McFadden's shot around the post.

Adding insult to injury, McFadden missed the resulting '45'. Still, Donegal closed out the half well with two Ryan Bradley frees reducing Mayo's lead to four points.

There was a touch of good fortune about Donegal's first goal, five minutes after the restart. David Walsh managed to flick a high ball on and with Billy Joe Padden slipping, Bradley took full advantage to punch home past Nallen.

An Alan Dillon free steadied the Mayo ship at 0-13 to 1-07 before the sides swapped the next four points. Mortimer's sixth of the afternoon came from a pass from James Gill, who also fired over moments later.

Donegal kept the pressure on with a memorable nine-pass move ending with centre forward Walsh bisecting the posts and Rafferty also slotted over in the 63rd-minute.

Donegal, who are unbeaten in 21 months of league football, whittled Mayo's lead down to two points in injury-time and just as they did against Kerry a fortnight ago, Brian McIver's side grabbed a late goal to take the match points.