Mayo ensured their safe passage to round four of the qualifiers in Ennis on Saturday evening, but they were made to work hard for the win due to a spirited performance from Clare.
Last year's beaten All Ireland finalists found themselves trailing 0-6 to 0-8 at the break but the Munster side could not maintain their performance in the second half and exited the championship with the final score 2-14 to 0-13 in favour of Mayo.
The turning point in the match was a two minute spell where the O'Connor brothers bagged two quick fire goals to give Mayo some breathing space.
The first goal can be put down to a defensive error, but the second came after some fantastic build-up play was followed by an emphatic finish.
Two goals in two minutes from the O'Connor brothers have @MayoGAA ahead in their SFC Qualifier! #GAAclips pic.twitter.com/fc11sOTuI5
— eirSport (@eirSport) July 8, 2017
Clare have shown clear signs of progress under Colm Collins, but they will be sore tonight wondering what could have been.
Mayo, on the other hand, are through to the next round and are one win away from making a return to Croke Park.
Speaking on The Sunday Game Live, Pat Spillane heaped praise on MOTM Aidan O'Shea and expressed his belief that Mayo will be a threat this year.
Pat Spillane has nothing but praise for Aidan O'Shea and says Mayo are going to be dangerous. #Intinsity #RTEGAA https://t.co/Un6418vaZ1 pic.twitter.com/zENucocz5z
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 8, 2017
