Galway claim bragging rights ahead of semi-final rematch
Mayo’s Ben Joyce ponders his options as Galway’s Andrew Kehoe challenges during the Electric Ireland Connacht GAA Minor Football Championship at Tuam Stadium last Friday evening. Picture: David Farrell Photography
Electric Ireland Connacht MFC - Round 5
What could have been an evening of exhibition shadowboxing between Mayo and Galway quickly turned into a no-holds-barred heavyweight bout that saw hosts landing a 12th round knockout blow, in the form of Cian Hynes two-point free, to finally overcome their provincial rivals.
With both teams places in the next round of this competition already sown up; they face off once more at MacHale Park in two weeks time, Mayo management saw fit to make 14 changes to the side that beat Sligo, 6 of which were fresh faces making their first appearance of the Championship and 4 more making their first start having made substitute appearances before now.
Ardagh’s Tony Carey was among the most impressive performers, scoring the first of his 0-3 points after 31 seconds. Galway, playing with the breeze in the first half, held onto possession for the next two and a half minutes before Cian Hynes popped over the equalizer.
Patrick Garvey scored a free for Mayo and Carey followed up with another from play. Ryan Connolly cut the gap to one with a point but on the 10-minute mark, Mayo had their first goal of the evening. Tourmakeady’s Maidhc Óg Stanton played a brilliant pass, straight through the middle of the pitch that was caught well by Carey. He held up possession and laid it off to Garvey who applied the finish.
Barry Keating, Galway’s best performer with 1-6 in this game, hit back with a free five minutes later after a foul on Connolly. Disaster struck Mayo when the next kickout was telegraphed and intercepted by Darragh Costello. Adam Healy, who had been hovering close to Mayo custodian Thomas Williams during the kickouts, was waiting unmarked at the back post to finish after Costello’s pass.
Fiacra Ó Cinnseala edged Mayo in front, firing over after a brilliant run. Ó Cinnseala looked lively again on the next attack and his next effort smacked the post. It fell into the awaiting arms of Oisin McCann who had an easy finish for Mayo’s second goal.
Keating and Hynes scored before Carey hit his third of the half but a well-struck ’45 from Galway keeper Evan Burke and a point from an offensive mark from Adam Healy made it a one-point game at half time.
Ó Cinnseala and Conor Jordan struck first in the second half to send Mayo three points clear but Galway, and Barry Keating, would soon hit a purple patch to take the lead. Keating was responsible for 1-2 of 1-3 scored in a four-minute period to put the hosts in front, with Ryan Connolly scoring the remaining point.
Mayo responded well however and soon had their third goal. It was scrappy but they all count. Patrick Garvey kept a chance alive with the lightest of touches into the path of Tony Carey, who was facing away from goal. Carey took a swing regardless and the ball rolled at snails pace and tapped the post. Jack Comer, with his first touch since emerging from the bench not a minute earlier, smacked it in from a fraction of a yard out and then Dara Dawson added a point from play.
Barry Keating and Oisin McCann swapped scored but in the final ten minutes, Galway found another gear. Andrew Kehoe played a ball into a dangerous area that Tim Madden gathered and put in the net to put Galway two points ahead. Gavin Tuffy replied to get Mayo back to within a point but Keating struck his sixth point, this one from a free before Cian Hynes free from outside the arc made sure the bragging rights went to Galway.
Fiacra Ó Cinnsealla had one last throw of the dice for Mayo, blasting an impressive score from two-point range but it was too little, too late for the visitors.
Galway went home the happier of the two teams with victory in the bag but the real prize remains on offer in the provincial semi-final on Friday, May 2 in MacHale Park.
