Mayo 5-8
Galway 2-11

(After extra-time)

AN ABSORBING CONNACHT MFC semi-final was ultimately decided by Mayo’s goalscoring ability at Dr Hyde Park.

Gritty Galway made a decent game of it in the west, but Mayo’s potent attack ensured they advanced to next month’s provincial decider against Roscommon.

An eventful first half saw Galway rattle two goals despite playing into the teeth of a strong wind before Mayo responded.

Mayo had clipped three points without reply at the start, but Galway, managed by former senior star John Donnellan, replied with two goals in a mad three minute spell.

The match had ticked into the 13th minute when the promising Niall Lee swept home an opportunistic finish.

Then 90 seconds later Peter Cooke palmed a second following a high Michael Daly delivery and suddenly Mayo were under pressure.

But the Green and Red came swinging back themselves as Tommy Conroy reacted smartly to fist a 19th minute major.

Darragh Doherty planted another Mayo goal on 23 after Conroy’s initial attempt had smashed off the post.

It was tight for the remainder of the half with the teams eventually departing on terms, deadlocked at 2-4 each.

And when the action recommenced there was little to separate the protagonists, but when Cian Hanley netted a Mayo goal with two minutes of normal time remaining they led 3-6 to 2-6.

Galway stayed calm, though, as Eoin McCormack kicked two frees either side of a 45 to force extra-time.

Niall Lee edged Galway in front once more, but Conor Loftus flicked a goal to give Mayo a 4-6 to 2-10 advantage.

Galway were in deep distress and Liam Irwin decorated Mayo’s triumph with a last gasp goal to ensure the Green and Red will face Roscommon.

Scorers for Mayo: Liam Irwin 1-5 (5fs), Tommy Conroy 1-2,, Conor Loftus 1-1, Cian Hanley 1-0, Darragh Doherty 1-0.

Scorers for Galway: Peter Cooke 1-2 (1f), Eoin McCormack 0-5 (4fs, 145), Niall Lee 1-1, Richard Fahy 0-1, Enda Tierney 0-1, Paul Mannion 0-1.

MAYO: Mark Mulligan; Eddie Doran, Seamus Cunniffe, David Kenny; Ronan Finn, Stephen Coen, Michael Hall; Val Roughneen, Diarmuid O’Connor; Brian Walsh, Conor Loftus, Cian Hanley; Tommy Conroy, Liam Irwin, Darragh Doherty.

Subs: Sean Conlon for Finn (28 mins), Conor Byrne for Doherty (50 mins), Stephen Burke for Walsh (52 mins), Michael Plunkett for Hanley (60 mins)

GALWAY: James Healy; Luke Burke, Cathal Reilly, Brian Shaughnessy; Noel McDonagh, Darren Moran, Colin Brady; Richard Fahy, Enda Tierney; Jason Lyons, Michael Daly, Peter Cooke; Niall Lee, Eoin McCormack, Paul Mannion.

Subs: Dylan Corbett for McDonagh (49 mins), Joseph Donnellan for Lee (51 mins), Stephen Lawless for Cooke (53 mins), Colm Mannion for Lyons (60 mins), Niall Lee for Brady (60 mins)

Referee: R McBrien (Leitrim).

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