Enda Henry got it going for Sligo with a well-taken point, while full forward Matt Kilroy added the next three. Kilroy is a talented player and it would be interesting to see what he could do if Sligo were able to surround him with a bit more talent.
Talent, of course, seems to be in abundance for Mayo this year. Despite missing five regulars, once Mayo settled down they were too much for Sligo.
Corner forward Tomas Griffin and midfielder Charlie Harrison drove most of the Mayo attack with their tremendous speed, while center forward Robert Moran gives Mayo a big man on the 40 who knows where the posts are.
Griffin?s second point of the match brought Mayo to within 0-4 to 0-3 and started an 0-8 to 0-0 run that extended into the second half. Attacking wingback Eamon McEvoy contributed a point in that Mayo run and Mayo led by double scores, 0-8 to 0-4, at the interval.
Mayo?s first point of the second half was a real gem, featuring good passing at tremendous pace. Harrison, who normally plays in the halfback line, Griffin, and Karl Oaks exchanged passes before Oaks finished for the point.
Mayo?s speed and understanding were too much for Sligo on that play and throughout the match, and despite a perfect penalty from Kilroy, Sligo never challenged after their good opening quarter.
This loss finishes Sligo?s season at 2-4-1 and that 5 points won?t be enough to get them into the playoffs. Mayo, Cork, and Offaly are all safely in the final four, with Roscommon most likely to join them.
Man of the Match: Tomas Griffin
Mayo: John Browne, Brian Montgomery, Keith McMahon, Emmet Cooney, Eammon McEvoy (0-1), Dermot Costello, Louie Breslin, Dave Colleran, Charlie Harrison, Karl Oaks (0-1), Robert Moran (0-7, 2 frees, 1-50), Tony McTigue (0-1), Niall McMahon, Paddy Reddington (0-1), Tomas Griffin (0-5). Sub: Liam McDonald.
Sligo: Robbie O?Neill, Eamon Duffy, Barry Kavanagh, Damien Drake, Ronan Colereavy, Kevin Caffrey, Paul Norton, Cormac McCarthy, Enda Henry (0-1), James Walsh, Ryan Quinn, Ronan Lenihan, Mike Creegan, Matt Kilroy (1-5, 1 penalty, 3 frees), Conor Healy. Sub: John O?Shea.