Mayo 1-15
Galway 2-8
MAYO KICKED OFF their Connacht five-in-a-row bid as they continued their dominance over neighbours Galway in Salthill.
A comical own goal gifted Mayo the advantage early in the second half and the champions never looked back as they booked their return to the provincial decider.
Cillian O’Connor kicked 0-9 (eight frees) to give Noel Connelly and Pat Holmes the first championship win as senior managers.
They can now look forward to a meeting with either Sligo or Roscommon on 19 July while Galway regroup for a qualifier run.
Kevin Walsh will be disappointed at the manner in which his side ceded the advantage after a battling first-half performance.
A magnificent Gary Sice goal on the stroke of half-time ensured that the sides went in level, 1-5 to 0-8.
But Galway were left in the dressing room after the restart as Mayo blitzed them for 1-3 in the first five minutes of the second half.
The Tribesmen’s defence, and in particular goalkeeper Manus Breathnach, won’t want to see the Mayo goal again.
Aidan O’Shea had been dispossessed en route to goal but instead of falling on the loose ball to smother the danger, Breathnach tried to hack it clear in a crowded goalmouth. He could only watch in horror as it rebounded back off Finian Hanley and into the empty net.
A Paul Conroy free cut the gap to five again before Galway lost the influential midfielder to a black card with 20 minutes still to play.
They conjured up an unlikely lifeline when the lively Danny Cummins palmed Tom Flynn’s pass past David Clarke for a second goal.
And when Gary Sice followed up with a pointed free, there was just two points separating the sides with 15 minutes to play.
Mayo showed their experience in the end with some well-taken points and clever game-management.
Substitute Mark Ronaldson and Seamus and Aidan O’Shea all contributed to steady the ship and make sure of the win.
Both sides finished with 14 men as the clock ran down. Galway’s Hanley was shown a black card following his earlier yellow while in stoppage time, Lee Keegan was shown a second yellow card when his time-wasting antics provoked a scuffle.
Scorers for Mayo: Cillian O’Connor 0-9 (8f), Own goal 1-0, Andy Moran 0-2, Aidan O’Shea, Jason Doherty, Mark Ronaldson, Seamus O’Shea 0-1 each.
Scorers for Galway: Gary Sice 1-3 (2f), Danny Cummins 1-1, Paul Conroy 0-3 (3f), Damien Comer 0-1.
Mayo
1. David Clarke (Ballina Stephenites)
2. Chris Barrett (Belmullet)
3. Kevin Keane (Westport)
4. Keith Higgins (Ballyhaunis, capt)
5. Lee Keegan (Westport)
6. Tom Cunniffe (Castlebar Mitchels)
7. Colm Boyle (Davitts)
8. Seamus O’Shea (Breaffy)
9. Tom Parsons (Charlestown Sarsfields)
10. Diarmuid O’Connor (Ballintubber)
11. Aidan O’Shea (Breaffy)
12. Kevin McLoughlin (Knockmore)
13. Andy Moran (Ballaghaderreen)
14. Cillian O’Connor (Ballintubber)
15. Jason Doherty (Burrishoole)
Substitutions:
23. Alan Dillon for A Moran (34)
24. Mark Ronaldson for Dillon (41)
21. D Vaughan for Boyle (52)
17. G Cafferkey for Keane (56)
22. B Moran for Parsons (66)
25. A Freeman for C O’Connor (69)
Galway
1. Manus Breathnach (Spiddal)
2. Johnny Duane (St James’, capt)
3. Finian Hanley (Salthill-Knocknacarra)
4. Cathal Sweeney (Killanin)
5. Liam Silke (Corofin)
6. Gary O’Donnell (Tuam Stars)
7. Sean Denvir (Micheal Breathnach)
8. Fiotan Ó Curraoin (Micheal Breathnach)
9. Paul Conroy (St James’, capt)
10. Gary Sice (Corofin)
11. Patrick Sweeney (Killanin)
12. Tom Flynn (Athenry)
13. Danny Cummins (Claregalway)
14. Damien Comer (Annaghdown)
15. Michael Lundy (Corofin)
Substitutions:
22. Peadar Óg Ó Griofa for Conroy (51, black card)
17. Gareth Bradshaw for Silke (62)
20. Eddie Hoare for Flynn (62)
25. Adrian Varley for P Sweeney (71)
