U-21s crash out of Championship at first hurdle

Date Published: {J}

Mayo 1-14

Galway 0-15

After extra-time

Cian o’connell at McHale Park

In Championship fare, luck frequently plays a significant role in how a match ends and Galway’s U-21 footballers wearily walked away following this Connacht preliminary round clash at McHale Park on Wednesday night reflecting on what might have been.

The panel was sprinkled with All-Ireland winners from last year, but this short campaign was marked by several unfortunate events as the sporting Gods were smiling elsewhere. Galway could nurse plenty of grievances following this loss, but will be completely aware that they failed to convert opportunities when firmly on top after half-time.

At that stage Galway had nudged four points ahead and with Tomás Flynn effective at centre-field the signs were favourable. Mayo, though, deserve credit for rallying as Cillian O’Connor was able to knock over the soft frees that they were awarded meaning it was a satisfactory evening for the Green and Red.

Beating Galway always tickles Mayo folk, and they were content when O’Connor knocked over two late extra-time frees to seal the deal. That one of those decisions was dubious in the extreme merely added to Galway’s woes.

So many things conspired against Galway. Fiontan O’Curraoin’s unavailability due to an ankle problem suffered while being an instrumental figure in DCU’s Sigerson Cup triumph had a severe impact.

The injury enforced departures of the Sweeney twins, Patrick and Cathal, robbed the team of a forceful physical influence at either end of the field. Patrick Sweeney had been highly effective inside as the attacking spearhead, winning ball and using it wisely too, while Cathal Sweeney restricted O’Connor’s influence from play.

Still, when Patrick Sweeney was forced off with an arm injury Galway’s inside line suddenly lacked presence. Peadar O’Gríofa remained a threat, but despite the odd Conor Rabbitte flash the rest of the visiting forwards were being well policed.

Even later in normal time, Gary Sweeney was forced off injured too, which was another brutal blow as Galway were constantly being disrupted by factors outside their control and the cruelty of such a demanding knock out environment was exposed.

Inevitably the sight of a Galway team entering Castlebar as reigning All-Ireland champions stirred the locals, who thundered into the contest. Seven minutes in O’Connor slipped Conor O’Shea into space and the bustling full forward unleashed a blistering shot that made the Galway net dance. That smashing O’Shea cameo had Mayo 1-2 to 0-1 ahead, but Galway’s response was courageous.

Johnny Duane was near flawless at full back, Flynn craved involvement, and Patrick Sweeney was far more than just a powerful target man as Galway recovered. Mayo failed to score for 22 minutes as six points on the spin had Galway leading 0-7 to 1-2 with the interval approaching. O’Gríofa (2), Eric Monahan (2), Patrick Sweeney, and Padraig Cunningham all found the range as Galway started to provide glimpses of their ability and Mayo were worried.

O’Connor terminated their 22 minute search for a score when rifling over a routine free, but then impressive Galway wing back Conor Costello struck a delightful point that ensured Gerry Fahy’s charges departed at the break with a 0-8 to 1-3 advantage.

For more, read this week’s Galway CityTribune.