Own goal proves fatal for Galway’s hopes

MAYO 1-15

GALWAY 2-8

NO dishonour for Galway but no argument either as to the relative strengths of the two traditional powerhouses in Connacht football with Mayo staying on course for a five-in-a-row of provincial titles thanks to a solid if unspectacular display.

Mayo held a clear edge in the key areas of strength, craft plus experience and while Galway kicked at the door on a few occasions they seldom looked like breaking it down – overall a semi-final day in Salthill where the formbook and league status held very true.

What was a giant chasm two years ago between the two counties has now closed considerably, but the gap still clearly remains as Mayo chase the great dream of a first All-Ireland title in 64 years, while Galway strive to move from a fringe team to one that can seriously challenge for honours.

Whatever chance Galway had of staying competitive in this match on Sunday, dissipated during a four minute spell after half-time when they conceded 1-3 without reply, including one of the most bizarre own-goals ever witnessed at the Pearse Stadium venue.

Two minutes into the half when Galway seemed to have dealt with a threatening run from Aidan O’Shea – and the ball spilled into an apron of maroon jerseys – there seemed little by way of clear and present danger.

However keeper Maghnus Breathnach – instead of quite simply picking up the loose ball – pulled first time, with ‘the O’Neill’s’ cannoning off the body of the unfortunate Finian Hanley into an empty net.

The goal came in the midst of three Mayo points and suddenly a game that had been competitive was effectively done and dusted – there was no way, in the aftermath of that setback, that Galway were ever going to pull back a six point lead.

It would though be unfair to say that this incident decided the match. Undoubtedly it made things a lot easier for Mayo but right from the opening exchanges to the closing minutes, the Connacht champions looked that little bit stronger than Galway in most of the key positions.

Mayo possess a hard core of quality defenders that helped restrict Galway to just three points from play; they out-fought and out-muscled the home side around the midfield sector, while up front, the pretty awesome power of Aidan O’Shea and the radar accuracy of Cillian O’Connor from placed balls, presented a continuous threat.

Full report in this week’s Connacht Tribune.