Just two weeks after they tanked Monaghan by 13 points in Castlebar, Mayo suffered the heaviest Division 1 defeat thus far when Dublin disposed of them in business-like fashion at the same venue.

With just three points before this game, Dublin may have had more cause for victory, but that didn't legislate for a seriously out-of-sorts Mayo performance.

The game was up on Mayo at half-time and they were outscored again in the second half by a Dublin team keen to make up for their recent difficulties against Kerry and Tyrone.

Mayo came closest to a goal when Mark Ronaldson was spectacularly denied by Denis Bastick in the 44th minute - but their display was otherwise lacking in purpose and the gulf in attitude between the sides was a major disappointment for the 13,548 crowd.

Dublin had led 2-10 to 0-6 at the break and although Kevin McManamon appeared to double hop the ball before setting up Bernard Brogan for their second goal they were full value for their advantage.

Dominating the early exchanges on both kick-outs, Dublin were causing so much difficulty Aidan O'Shea was summoned from his full-forward position to give a helping hand. Even at that, the visitors' superiority was unchecked.

When they weren't winning primary ball and delivery precise ball into their attack they were working the ball through a network of hand-passes complemented by aggressive running.

Mayo's lackadaisical attitude on occasions was punished dearly and Rob Hennelly was fishing the ball from the net in the seventh minute when man of the match Bastick was on hand to finish the ball past him after Brogan's initial shot has crashed off the crossbar.

With McManamon serving as a fine outlet and Johnny Cooper looking so sharp in cutting out Mayo's attacks, Dublin extended their lead to six points by the 13th minute.

When Brogan netted in the 22nd minute they were nine up and virtually out of Mayo's sights. With the Mayo half-back line providing no shape or stability, Dublin's job of picking up two valuable points was made all the easier.

Scorers for Mayo: J Doherty (0-4, 3 frees); K McLoughlin (0-3, 1 free); M Ronaldson, D Kirby, A Dillon (0-1 each).

Scorers for Dublin: D Rock (0-6, frees); B Brogan (1-1); D Bastick (1-0); T Brady (0-3); C Kilkenny, J McCaffrey (0-2 each); D Connolly, P Flynn, J Cooper, P Ryan (0-1 each).

MAYO: R Hennelly; K Keane, T Cunniffe, K Higgins; P Durcan, L Keegan, C Boyle; S O'Shea, D Vaughan; D O'Connor, K McLoughlin, J Doherty; M Ronaldson, A O'Shea, A Freeman.

Subs for Mayo: D Kirby for A Freeman, S Coen for P Durcan (both 46); A Dillon for D O'Connor (50); M Sweeney for M Ronaldson (52); B Moran for S O'Shea (inj 53); G Cafferkey for D Vaughan (63).

DUBLIN: S Cluxton; P McMahon, E Culligan, R O'Carroll; J Cooper, C O'Sullivan, J McCaffrey; D Bastick, T Brady; P Flynn, D Connolly, C Kilkenny; B Brogan, D Rock, K McManamon.

Subs for Dublin: M Fitzsimons for R O'Carroll (h-t); J Small for E Culligan (inj 50); B Fenton for D Bastick, E O'Gara for B Brogan (both 59); J McCarthy for T Brady (61); P Ryan for K McManamon (63). Black card: D Rock (65).

Referee: P O'Sullivan (Kerry).