Mayo power past Louth into All-Ireland final

A dominant second-half display saw Mayo defeat Louth 3-23 to 0-15 to reach their first All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final in five years.

Andy Moran's men turned up the heat after a highly competitive and entertaining first half to take a firm grip of this semi-final and they didn't let go.

First half goals from top-scorer Ryan O'Donoghue - who contributed 1-11 - and Darragh Beirne ensured they led at the break and when Conor Loftus netted a third in the second period, that was as good as that.

Louth had enjoyed a more than solid opening half, but just couldn't match the Connacht side after the break, adding just four points to their tally, as their fairy-tale run came to an end in front of a full-house in what was a special occasion.

However, it is Mayo into the final and they now await the winner of Sunday's second semi-final between Dublin and defending champions Kerry at Croke Park [16:00 BST].

It all played out amid a cauldron-like atmosphere with both sets of supporters creating a an almost deafening din as they paraded around the field prior to throw-in.

Mayo were quicker to settle and while Darragh McDonald gave Louth the lead, there were warning signs for the Wee County as Mayo created but just didn't finish opportunities.

Beirne was put through by Kobe McDonald early but shot at Niall McDonnell, yet it highlighted their threat when able to find space.

On the next occasion they made it count. Paul Towey read a crossfield Louth pass and went long to McDonald, who cleverly let it run on for O'Donoghue and he found the net.

O'Donoghue would carry much of Mayo's scoring threat as he and Beirne added points, but Louth settled again and began to pressure the Mayo restart, forcing a turnover free when Jack Livingstone went short and then winning possession when the kick went long.

A Conor Grimes point was followed by two-pointers from Grimes and Sam Mulroy (free) as Louth turned up the heat, yet O'Donoghue would account for four of the next five points including a two-pointer as suddenly, Mayo began to find holes in the Louth kick-out.

It gave Mayo the lead that McDonald and Beirne extended, only for Grimes to wipe out with two kicks of the ball - one a two-pointer after Dara McDonnell made a clean fetch at midfield.

It had long since established itself as a ding dong opening half with Mayo landing one last haymaker before the hooter, and perhaps one that completely changed the tone of the contracting moods at the break.

After Paul Towey edged them ahead, a Beirne shot for a point took a block and spun up with Beirne following up and fortune favoured his run as he was there to finish from close range, giving his side a 2-9 to 0-11 interval advantage.

Mayo almost had a third goal immediately after the break when substitute Tommy Conroy saw his shot blocked with the ball spinning up onto the crossbar, but this time Louth survived.

Jordan Flynn did nail a two-point effort soon after as Mayo's lively start to the second period was rewarded.

Mayo's work-rate was impressive, fighting and scrapping, getting a hand in to turn the ball over and these moments were beginning to add up.

So too were the points for McDonald, while McDonnell was keeping Louth in the game with saves from Conroy and O'Donoghue with Mayo threatening to fully cut loose on the scoreboard.

The third goal was coming and it stemmed from another turnover as Sam Callinan robbed Kieran McArdle, set Tommy Conroy on the front foot and he found fellow replacement Loftus for the finish from close range. It typified what Mayo were about after the break and after Cian McHale added another score, the gap was 13 and the game all but up entering the final quarter.

It took Louth until the 57th minute to get their first score of the second period through Downey, but their dream had turned into a nightmare as they couldn't reach the same heights as the opening period.

And Mayo were not in a charitable mood as, while Downey landed a two-pointer for Louth to bring his tally for the day to six points, O'Donoghue landed a pair of two-point frees including one with the final kick as Mayo celebrated their passage back into the final.

Substitute Matthew Ruane also got in on the act in what was a magical day for Moran's men, who will return for the final on 26 July.

For Louth, it has been a memorable season and while they will be disappointed with their second half display, they will recognise the progress made in 2026.

Mayo: Jack Livingstone; Jack Coyne, Donnacha McHugh, Eoin McGreal; Sam Callinan, David McBrien, Enda Hession; Bob Tuohy, Jack Carney; Stephen Coen, Paul Towey (0-1), Jordan Flynn (0-2, 1x2p); Darragh Beirne (1-2, 0-1f), Ryan O'Donoghue (1-11, 1x2p, 2x2pf, 0-3f), Kobe McDonald (0-4).

Subs: Tommy Conroy for P Towey (HT), Conor Loftus (1-0) for S Coen (42), Cian McHale (0-2) for D Beirne (50), Fenton Kelly for E McGreal (55), Matthew Ruane (0-1) for J Flynn (62).

Louth: Niall McDonnell; Emmet Carolan, Donal McKenny, Daire Nally; Conal McKeever, Dara McDonnell (0-1), Craig Lennon; Conor Early, Ciaran Keenan (0-1); James Maguire, Sam Mulroy (0-2, 2x2pf), Conor Grimes (0-4, 1x2p); Kieran McArdle, Ciaran Downey (0-6, 1x2p), Ryan Burns.

Subs: Tadgh McDonnell for C Lennon (23), Ciaran Byrne for C Keenan (40), Tommy Durnin (0-1) for J Maguire (46), Conall McCall for C Grimes (53), Anthony WIlliams for C McKeever (62).

Referee: David Coldrick (Meath)