Action from Cavan v Mayo. Pic: Adrian Donohoe.

Cavan slip to third defeat in Castlebar

Mayo 1-13
Cavan 0-11

Paul Fitzpatrick
at McHale Park

Mayo's promising early season form continued at McHale Park as they ran out comfortable winners over a disappointing Cavan this evening.
Mickey Graham's men, who are rooted to the bottom of the table with three defeats, once again started brightly, with quality early scores from Dara McVeety, Jack Brady (two frees) and Ray Galligan helping them into a 0-4 to 0-1 advantage.
However, there was a now-familiar fade-out by the Blues as the home side quickly got to grips with the challenge, with full-back Ger Cafferkey and sweeper Keith Higgins ensuring that the ball was not sticking in the inside line for Cavan and, at the other end, the movement of Andy Moran causing problems.
Scores from Moran, Fionn McDonagh and Jason Doherty (free) helped Mayo get back on level terms. Niall Murray and Evan Regan traded scores and a Jason Doherty free made it 0-7 to 0-5 before newcomer Conor Rehill hit back.
But the game swung on a controversial goal just before half-time, Regan appearing to bundle Cavan goalkeeper Galligan into the net as James Horan's men went in holding a 1-7 to 0-7 lead, with Rehill slotting over his second just before the interval.
And Mayo controlled proceedings after the break, with Aidan O'Shea in dominant form around the middle. 
A brilliant point from Lee Keegan got the scoreboard ticking again for the westerners and they were always able to keep Cavan at arm's length thereafter, with subs Donie Vaughan and Brian Reape raising white flags and Doherty and Diarmuid O'Connor adding further scores as they won pulling up.
Cavan's second half scores came from Jack Brady (free), a brilliant long-range score from McVeety, a quality effort from sub Conor Moynagh and a late Martin Reilly free.
The Ulster side's cause was not helped by the dismissal of starting debutant Stephen Murray on a second yellow card with 10 minutes left following a high tackle on Kevin McLoughlin.
Cavan now go into the two-week break having picked up no points and, perhaps even more worryingly, having scored no goals nor really threatened to do so. Their play was littered with errors here, with poor decision-making prevalent throughout. A lot of improvement will be needed if they are to pick up points in this division.

Cavan: Raymond Galligan (0-1f), Jason McLoughlin, Padraig Faulkner, Stephen Murray, Niall Murray (0-1), Ciaran Brady, Conor Rehill (0-2), Paul Graham, Killian Clarke, Cian Mackey, Dara McVeety (0-2), Martin Reilly (0-1f), Jack Brady (0-2f), Thomas Galligan, Conor Madden
Subs: Conor Moynagh (0-1) for T Galligan (ht), Niall McKiernan for Madden (38), Pierce Smith for N Murray (40), Niall Clerkin for Mackey (60), Oisin Pierson for J Brady (67)

Mayo: David Clarke, Stephen Coen, Ger Cafferkey, Keith Higgins, Lee Keegan (0-1), Michael Plunkett, Paddy Durcan, Diarmuid O'Connor, Matthew Ruane, Fionn McDonagh (0-1), Aidan O'Shea (0-1m), Jason Doherty (0-3f), Evan Regan (1-2, 2f), Andy Moran (0-2, 1m), Colm Moran
Subs: Brian Reape (0-1) for C Moran (40), Donal Vaughan (0-1) for Ruane (45), Kevin McLoughlin for McDonagh (58), Ciaran Treacy for A Moran (68)

Ref: Anthony Nolan (Wicklow)