Mayo………………….….….5-21
Monaghan………..………….0-06

Mayo made easy work of the travelling Monaghan Senior Hurling party, as this tie proved all one way traffic through-out, with Mayo registering a thirty point win in dreadful conditions in McHale Park, Castlebar on Sunday Morning last. Mayo goals from Kenneth Robinson and Adrian Hession in the opening half were complimented by further majors in the second from John Duffy and two from Stephen Broderick and kept Mayo coasting throughout. This coupled with the display of Adrian Freeman, who registered 13 points in this game, seven of which came from open play with the remaining coming from the dead ball.

It was notable from an early stage that Freeman was on form as he recorded his and Mayo's first four points in succession to leave Mayo 0-4 to 0-2 ahead after 10 minutes, both Monaghan replies coming from the stick of Paul Meegan. James Hogan registered another point from play for Mayo before Kenneth Robinson kept up his goal a game record by bundling a ball to the back of the Monaghan net from close range. It was all one way traffic for the second quarter of the game with scores from Freeman again (5), James Hogan, Stephen Broderick and Paul Broderick all helping Mayo to a commanding half time lead. First half substitute Adrian Hession, who replaced the injured Robinson on twenty minutes, was also quick to get on the score sheet, pouncing on a loose ball from close range after the Monaghan custodian failed to deal with a dropping ball. These scores rounded off a fine first half performance for Mayo as they went in at the break by 2-12 to 0-5 ahead.

The second half further compounded the Farney men, as Mayo continued to rack up the scores, the pick of which being a seventy-yard point from wing back Ger Whyte. Whyte had an exceptional game throughout, as did fellow defenders Shane Morley, Paddy Barrett and John Duffy. Full back Duffy also managed to get on the score sheet as his long range free deceived the Monaghan rearguard and found its way to the back of the net. Mayo's other goals in the concluding stages both came from Westport man Stephen Broderick as Mayo continued to pile on the pressure in the pursuit of a better scoring average. In the end, it was Freeman who was the class act of the day, as he brushed aside multiple Monaghan challenges to convert his 13th and final point of the day in injury time.

Mayo now face Tyrone in Round 8 next weekend knowing that a win will place them in the top two of Division 3 thus booking their place in a National Final which is scheduled for May 1st.

Mayo: Tom Duffy (Ballina); Derek Walsh (Ballyhaunis), John Duffy (1-0) (Ballina), Shane Morley (Tooreen); Stephen Coyne (Tooreen), Paddy Barrett (Belmullet), Ger Whyte (0-1) (Castlebar); Kevin Healy (Ballina), Con Ryan (Westport); James Hogan (0-3) (Westport), Stephen Broderick (2-1) (Westport), Derek McConn (0-1) (Ballyhaunis): Adrian Freeman (0-13,7f) (Tooreen); Ken Robinson (1-0) (Tooreen), Paul Broderick (1-1) (Westport). Subs: Adrian Hession (1-2) (Tooreen) for Robinson (inj), Brian Delaney (Tooreen) for Coyne, Kieran Horan (Castlebar) for Broderick.

Louth: M. McHugh (0-1); S. Loftus, J. McHugh, F. Payne; P. Murphy, E. Hearne, S. Sullivan; D. Farragher (0-1), J. McConnell; P. Meegan (0-3), C. Connolly, A. Hughes; P. Dowdall, P. Walsh (0-1), B. McArdle. Ref: T. Holian (Galway)