ROCHFORD THRILLED TO START WITH A VICTORY

INTERIM Mayo boss Stephen Rochford insisted the mood in the camp was positive as they gave their All-Ireland campaign a much-needed boost with a fully-merited win in Omagh on Saturday.

- BY PADDY TIERNEY

INTERIM Mayo boss Stephen Rochford insisted the mood in the camp was positive as they gave their All-Ireland campaign a much-needed boost with a fully-merited win in Omagh on Saturday.

With Rochford taking over from Kevin McStay, who has stepped aside for health reasons, a third successive Championship defeat never looked likely as the game progressed.

Goals in each half from Darren McHale and Ryan O'Donoghue from the penalty spot helped an embattled Mayo side claim a full-merited win.

"We were supporting each other, we were taking the game to the opposition," said Rochford.

"We had trained really well over the last two weeks. We had a really good prep last night, on our stay over, and we were really confident that we're going here and getting a performance.

"You're going up against a top team, right?

"Was it going to be a performance that could get the win?

"Nothing is guaranteed in this thing, but we felt that we were going in the right way.