GALWAY were pushed all the way by 13-man New York in a physical encounter at Gaelic Park but the biggest shock in decades was prevented by a vintage display from Páraic Joyce.

SECOND quarter goals from Patrick Harte and debutant Aidan O’Shea were the catalyst for victory as Mayo withstood a determined New York start to earn an impressive 15-point win in the opening game of the 2009 GAA Connacht Senior Football Championship.

Kilkenny 0-08 London 4-13

University College Dublin 0-13 Galway/Mayo Institute of Technology 0-9