Mayo survived a dramatic late comeback to edge Monaghan 1-24 to 2-20 in their All-Ireland SFC first-round clash at Clones. An 11-point half-time lead looked comfortable until Stephen Mooney's late goal and Jack McCarron's two-pointer set up a nervy finish. Aidan O'Shea marked his 100th championship appearance, becoming the first outfield player to reach that milestone in Mayo colors.

Andy Moran's side dominated early with six two-pointers in the first half, building a commanding 1-17 to 0-9 advantage. Ryan O'Donoghue led the scoring with 0-8, while Kobe McDonald contributed 1-4. Monaghan struggled initially but substitute Bobby McCaul sparked hope with a goal after the break, though his injury later in the game halted their momentum.

The Farney men needed a Lazarus-style recovery like their Ulster semi-final comeback against Derry, but fell short despite reducing the gap to two points late on. Stephen O'Hanlon's absence was felt as Monaghan lost their safety net and now face Round 2B. Mayo advance with two chances to reach the last eight, while Monaghan's championship hopes hang by a thread.

Both teams showcased the new two-point rule effectively, with McCarron and Andrew Woods landing crucial long-range efforts for Monaghan. Mayo's experience proved decisive in the closing stages as they held on for a hard-fought victory.