CONNACHT MFC FINAL Mayo 3-9 Galway 1-10:MAYO CAPTURED their third provincial title in a row thanks to three second-half goals at McHale Park in Castlebar yesterday.
The sides were deadlocked at the break, with Galway wing back Paul Varley pouncing for an opportunist goal after 24 minutes to leave it 1-4 to 0-7 at the break.
The introduction of Peadar Ó Griofa, who had recovered from injury, strengthened Galway – he hit 0-5, three of them frees – but his side were taken aback when Mayo struck for three goals in a four-minute spell.
Danny Kirby slotted home the first from a penalty after Cillian O’Connor was hauled down by Varley, before Darren Coen scored his first goal.
Ó Griofa responded with a Galway point but their hopes were dashed when Coen burst through to finish into the bottom corner.
That put Mayo 3-8 to 1-6 in front with 14 minutes remaining and with Galway never looking like they would again find the Mayo net, the champions held on.
Mayo, without an All-Ireland minor title since 1985, will realise they will need to improve but they will fancy their chances against Offaly in the quarter-finals.
Galway will now meet Leinster champions Longford and will hope to regroup and that skipper Éanna Ó hEochaidh and his midfield partner Thomas Flynn will soon recover from injury.
MAYO: P Mannion; B Harrison, N Freeman, C Twomey; R Quirke (0-1), C Walsh, C Horan; D Kirby (1-1, 1-0 penalty), S McGarry; F Durkan, M Forde, S Kelly (0-1); C Costello, D Coen (2-1), C O'Connor (0-4, frees). Subs: J McDonnell for Costello (37 mins), A Leonard for Kelly (50 mins), C O'Shea (0-1)for Forde (53 mins),
GALWAY: J Keane; M Loughnane, J Shaughnessy, P Ezergalis; T Curran, M Kelly, P Varely (1-0); E Commins, M O'Donnell; N Quinn (0-2), F Ó Curraoin, C Rabbitte; C O'Neill, N Breathnach, S Maughan (0-3, one free). Subs: D Black for Kelly (20 mins); P Ó Griofa (0-5, three frees)for O'Donnell (25 mins), F Ó Bearra for Shaughnessy (h-t), J Vaughan for Curran (47 mins), E McCann for Breathnach (53 mins).
Referee: D Hunt(Roscommon).
