Crossan points way for Masters footballers

Dublin Masters footballers (over-40s) defeated Mayo 1-12 to 1-6 on Saturday afternoon in Fr Manning Gaels, Drumlish, Longford.

A Cormac Smyth goal helped Dublin to a 1-5 to 1-3 halff-time advantage.

Dublin's other chief scorers were Niall Crossan (0-6), Ken Darcy and Ray Cosgrove (0-2 each).

Saturday's duel was the Dubs fifth game of this year's competition, they drew 0-13 to 2-7 against Tyrone two weeks previously in Lacken Celtic GAA, Cavan.

In a repeat of last summer's All-Ireland Masters final Niall Crossan was Dublin's top scorer with 0-6 (0-3f) with Derek Byrne (0-2), Gary O'Connell, Paul Croft, Ray Cosgrove, Ritchie Herrity and Mick O'Keeffe ('45') all contributing one point each.

In their early games this summer Dublin, who are managed by Val Andrews, have overcome Down (5-12 to 0-10), Roscommon (2-17 to 0-9) and Laois (3-11 to 3-7).

There are 16 teams in total participating this year with the top four progressing to the semi-finals.

Dublin have one remaining round-robin game against Kildare (Saturday, July 27).

The other counties taking part are Clare, Antrim, Cavan, Sligo, Donegal, London, Galway, Roscommon, Westmeath and a combined Leitrim/Longford selection.