14-man Mayo overcome Galway in Connacht U20 Championship

Mayo U20s boss Peadar Gardiner described his side as a "progressive, attacking team".

Galway’s Jack Lonergan and Sean Hansberry in action against Mayo’s Conal Dawson in the U-20 championship at McHale Park, CAstlebar. Photo: Ray Ryan

Connacht U20 Football Championship: Mayo 0-16 Galway 2-6 

Mayo U20s boss Peadar Gardiner was left delighted that his side showed all of their front foot ability after overcoming rivals Galway with an awesome second-half showing.

At MacHale Park, Mayo ended up with 11 different scorers. All of their starting front six finished on the scoresheet. They kept Galway scoreless for the final 25 minutes of the fixture.

“Progressive. We are a progressive, attacking team,” Gardiner said post-match. 

“We are about development and there is no point playing any other way. Let these boys off the leash. Try to enjoy their football and play expansive football. That is what it is about.” 

In keeping with a derby that can provide anything and everything, a thrilling opening half saw Galway lead 2-4 to 0-9 at the break. Ronan Colleran notched the first goal of the game after a superb pass by Jack Lonergan initially sent Colm Costello clear. His squared pass was met by the onrushing Tuam Stars forward.

Darragh Costello rifled in a second when a driving Jack Folan run saw referee Dermot Lyons play advantage for a pull and Galway capitalise. Elsewhere, both goalkeepers scored long-range points off the deck, there were turnovers aplenty, two black cards in a minute for Shane Canavan and Sean Morahan and a yellow card for an agitated Keith Higgins on the sideline.

A combination of a first-half injury to Galway captain Matthew Thompson and struggles on their own kickout helped Mayo recover from that slow start. Daragh Beirne clipped two frees and a point just before the turnaround to leave one between them.

Galway’s Padraic Godwin action against Mayo’s John MacMonagle in the Connacht U20 championship at McHale Park, CAstlebar. Photo: Ray Ryan

The sides were level entering the final quarter after the lively Niall Hurley collected a ball just outside the 45, dropped the shoulder and drove down the centre. 

John MacMonagle then caught Conor Heneghan high with his shoulder and was shown a red card. That advantage was almost immediately cancelled out as Colm Costello received a harsh black card for bundling over Finbar McLoughlin. Beirne converted the resulting free. With 52 minutes played, Mayo hit the front and kicked for home.

“We worked really hard and got a lot of turnovers,” said Gardiner. 

“Over 20 turnovers. The boys worked extremely hard. We were disappointed with the first 20 minutes, conceded two goals and were opened up for one or two more. It is all on the night and all a bit of luck. Galway are a good team and we will meet again at some stage hopefully.” 

Scorers for Mayo: Daragh Beirne 0-4 (3 frees), Darragh Reilly 0-2, Niall Hurley 0-2, Tom O’Flaherty, Finbar McLoughlin, Cathal Keaveney, Sean Morahan, David Doran (free), Oisin Cronin, Tom Lydon, Diarmuid Duffy 0-1 each.

Scorers for Galway: Ronan Colleran 1-0, Darragh Costello 1-0, Fionn MacDonnacha 0-2 (1 mark), Matthew Thompson, Eamon McGrath (45), Cian Murphy, Colm Costello (free) 0-1 each.

Mayo: D Dolan; D Slattery, E McGreal, L Silke; S Morahan, J MacMonagle, P Gilmore; D Duffy, C Dawson; F McLoughlin, C Keaveney, T O’Flaherty; D Beirne, N Hurley, D Reilly.

Subs: B Collins for Silke (half-time), O Cronin for Slattery (38), L Maloney for Gilmore (44), T Lydon for Reilly (51), J Mevlin for Hurley (58).

Galway: E McGrath; S Canavan, B Noone, D Costello; P Godwin, L O’Connor, J Folan; D Kilcommins, J Lonergan; M Thompson, C Heneghan, R Colleran; C Costello, C Murphy, C Mulhern.

Subs: F MacDonnacha for Thompson (27 - Inj), S Hansberry for Kilcommins (38 - Inj), D Walsh for Godwin (48), S Birmingham for Murphy (59).

Referee: D Lyons (Roscommon)