Rivals Galway and Mayo go head-to-head

Old rivals Galway and Mayo go head-to-head today at the newly redeveloped Pearse Stadium with the Connacht title at stake.

It's one of the oldest and most intense rivalries in Gaelic football with the counties having clashed 68 times. Galway have won 34 times to Mayo's 28 with six draws.

The fact that both managers are Mayo men adds to the intrigue of a clash which will draw a full house of around 35,000.

Galway have played Mayo three times in the championship since John O'Mahony took over in October 1997, winning two (1998-2002) and losing one (1999).

John Maughan, who is in his second spell as Mayo manager, presided over wins against Galway in 1996 (3-9 to 1-11), 1997 (1-16 to 0-15) and 1999 (1-14 to 1-10) while he suffered just one defeat in 1998 (1-13 to 2-6).

Galway beat Roscommon and Leitrim to reach the final while Mayo accounted for Sligo.

Last 5 Championship Clashes

2002: Galway 0-12 Mayo 1-7 (Connacht semi-final)

1999: Mayo 1-14 Galway 1-10 (Connacht final)

1998: Galway 1-13 Mayo 2-6 (Connacht quarter-final)

1997: Mayo 1-16 Galway 0-15 (Connacht quarter-final)

1996: Mayo 3-9 Galway 1-11 (Connacht final)

Mayo 3, Galway 2