Mayo 4-16
Galway 0-11
IT was an eagerly-awaited showdown between the two Connacht championship giants but today’s battle in Pearse Stadium transpired to be a damp squib as Mayo were far too strong for a poor Galway side.
James Horan’s team issued a significant statement of intent as they equalled the county’s record championship win against the Tribesmen and enjoyed their biggest victory margin since 1907.
Mayo ultimately had 17 points to spare before a crowd of 16,243 at the Salthill venue against a Galway team who finished with 13 men after Gareth Bradshaw and Niall Coleman were both shown red cards in the second-half.
Their success was crowned by the sight of Andy Moran – who came on as a substitute for his first appearance since tearing his cruciate ligament against Down in last August’s All-Ireland quarter-final – firing home their fourth goal of the game in injury-time.
Mayo were boosted by the inclusion of Alan Dillon before the match with Tom Cunniffe also handed a starting berth as Darren Coen and Kevin Keane made way from the starting fifteen that was announced during the week.
Last year’s All-Ireland finalists began brightly to go 0-5 to 0-2 clear by the 10th minute but Michael Meehan did his best to keep Galway in touch with his accuracy from placed balls. However Mayo got through for the first goal of the game in the 15th minute when Cathal Carolan barged through and bundled the ball to the net past Galway debutant Manus Breathnach.
Matters got worse for Galway before the break as Enda Varley fired home Mayo’s second goal in the 32nd minute and then Donal Vaughan raised their third green flag soon after. By the interval Mayo were 3-9 to 0-6 ahead and had essentially put the game to bed.
Young Mayo fan Michael McDonnell celebates.
Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
Galway reeled off the opening three points of the second-half but were hit by the setback of seeing Bradshaw dismissed just after the interval after he was involved in an off-the-ball incident with Kevin McLoughlin.
It was not long before Niall Coleman was also shown a red card when he was in an altercation with Alan Dillon and Mayo strolled to victory from there. Varley and Cillian O’Connor lead the way in the scoring stakes and their joy was complete when Moran came off the bench and smashed home a left-footed shot to the net.
They now advance to face Roscommon in the Connacht semi-final on June 16th while Galway must prepare for the All-Ireland qualifiers after this heavy defeat.
A dejected Galway manager Alan Mulholland.
Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan
Scorers for Mayo: Enda Varley 1-3, Cillian O’Connor 0-6 (0-4f), Donal Vaughan 1-1, Cathal Carolan, Andy Moran 1-0 each, Alan Dillon 0-2, Alan Freeman, Lee Keegan, Richie Feeney, Darren Coen 0-1 each.
Scorers for Galway: Michael Meehan 0-5 (0-3f, 0-1 ’45), Danny Cummins, Sean Armstrong (0-1f) 0-2 each, Paul Conroy, Shane Walsh (0-1f) 0-1 each.
MAYO: David Clarke (Ballina Stephenites); Tom Cunniffe (Castlebar Mitchells), Ger Cafferkey (Ballina Stephenites), Keith Higgins (Ballyhaunis); Lee Keegan (Westport), Donal Vaughan (Ballinrobe), Colm Boyle (Davitts); Aidan O’Shea (Breaffy), Seamus O’Shea (Breaffy); Kevin McLoughlin (Knockmore), Cillian O’Connor (Ballintubber), Cathal Carolan (Crossmolina); Enda Varley (Garrymore), Alan Freeman (Aghamore), Alan Dillon (Ballintubber).
Subs: Shane McHale (Knockmore) for Cafferkey (half-time), Darren Coen (Hollymount-Carramore) for Dillon (59), James Burke (Ballymun Kickhams) for Keegan (59), Andy Moran (Ballaghaderreen) for Carolan (64).
GALWAY: Maghnus Breathnach (An Spideal); Johnny Duane (St James’), Colin Forde (Killererin), Gary Sweeney (Mountbellew-Moylough); Gareth Bradshaw (Moycullen), Keith Kelly (Ballinasloe), Gary Sice (Corofin); Niall Coleman (Annaghdown), Fiontan O’Curraoin (Micheal Breathnach); Tom Flynn (Athenry), Paul Conroy (St James’), Conor Doherty (Tuam Stars); Sean Armstrong (Salthill-Knocknacarra), Michael Meehan (Caltra), Danny Cummins (Claregalway).
Subs: Shane Walsh (Kilkerrin-Clonberne) for Doherty (24), Joss Moore (Mountbellew-Moylough) for Sweeney (half-time), Gary O’Donnell (Tuam Stars) for Armstrong (58), Eoin Concannon (St James) for Meehan (64), Michael Martin (Milltown) for Sice (64).
Referee: Martin Duffy (Sligo)
What we can take out of this match is that Galway are absolutely brutal.
I think Eamon OHara predicted a Galway win!!! Good man Eamon!!
Might Mayo win Sam this year.
Was it not 17 points judging by that score line??
Just booked the Monday after the all-Ireland off, actually better book the Tuesday off too just to welcome the team home with a drink.
Hon MAYO!
You’ll be safe enough. Mayo and pressure of all Ireland?? You’ll be safe enough working that Sunday night
My god you lads never learn!
After my own boys in blue there’s nobody id rather see win Sam but you don’t half hype your team.
Galway started well last year and look how that turned out!
Best of luck to you and great win today though
Do you think the women will the All Ireland Football this year?
Don’t get carried away my Country friend! You haven’t seen the Dubs yet!
Hahaha ya right
Galway were a bit unlucky today. If you take out the four goals Mayo scored and a few stray points it could have been a draw.
Joyce will be doing a Scholes on it and coming back with scores like that
Was wondering about all the randomly abandoned cars in galway – turns out it was the mayo fans parking in salthill…. Only joking- well done mayo!
Now, Dermot, did I not have a word with you last nite about driving things! :)
It’s a compulsion! I can’t help myself!
no harm, bit of good clean banter never hurt anyone! bit a Craic ! :)
Go on the biyyyys
Fair play to ye! well deserved! now bring home Sam!
@alwaysrightokay.. When you see dog shit on the street as well do you jump into it and start giving out about shit it is? f@cking trolls!
well he’s talking enough of it!
One thing I hate about the summer is the poxy GAA.
Why read an article on the GAA then??!!
Ya great point. Twit
Well don’t bother to read articles on it or bother to comment you are boring the rest of us
One thing I hate about the summer is soccer and egg chasing heads with no appreciation of sports across the spectrum giving out about the gaa
Exactly, don’t understand the attitude to be honest. So narrow minded. Their loss to be fair.
Galway need to get back playin in division one in league.Way off the pace
Holy jaysus