Mayo exit Connacht Championship after narrow Galway loss
Mayo’s Alexander Smyth bypasses Galway’s Oliver O’Sullivan on his way to scoring a point during the Electric Ireland Connacht MFC tie between Mayo and Galway at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park this evening. Picture: David Farrell
A stoppage time penalty from Conor Hoban was ultimately in vain as Mayo exited the Connacht Minor Football Championship this evening after a 2-10 to 1-12 defeat to Galway in Castlebar.
Mayo elected to play with the wind in the first half but led only by two at the break, 0-8 to 0-6, largely in part to some wasteful shooting which included three goal opportunities that went astray.
Coor Hoban was Mayo’s best in the first half, kicking four of their eight points including their opener on seven minutes and a marvellous two-point free on 15 minutes which would coincide with the Green and Red’s best spell of the half.
Aidan Brogan and Fiachra Ó Cinnseala also tagged on points in the purple patch, while Aaron O’Dea was unfortunate not find the back of the net after a great run through the heart of the Galway backline.
Two minutes after the restart, Galway punished with their first goal through Shane Heneghan to go in front.
Mayo did nudge back ahead at the final quarter approached but they would not score again until the 59th minute. By that stage Galway led 2-10 to 0-12, Shane Heneghan netting his second goal on 47 minutes.
Hoban’s penalty brought it back to one, but Galway held on for the win and now face Sligo in the semi-final. Mayo, meanwhile, go into the All-Ireland MFC Tier 2 competition.
