Andy Moran kicks off with a win after thriller with Galway
Mayo’s Darragh Beirne celebrates scoring his side's second goal with Aidan O’Shea, Pic: ©INPHO/James Crombie
What a start. Andy Moran’s Mayo reign kicked off with a thrilling win over their rivals Galway.
They were forced to defend their square as the hosts went in search of a late equalising goal but that entertaining conclusion only added to the offering. Whatever happens, this is a side worth watching.
The makeup of Galway’s season may be a factor in their selection here. They handed out three full debuts to Ciaran Mulhern, Fionn McDonagh and Oisin McDonagh. Later this year, their path to a fifth Connacht title could see them close out the league, play a Connacht semi-final and a final at home. Navigate that route and they will be at home in the opening round of the Sam Maguire series too. For this team’s trajectory, that is the stretch that truly matters.
Mayo, meanwhile, were looking to ignite the sparks of optimism that Andy Moran’s appointment generated. A 1-12 to 0-9 half-time lead would have done wonders in that regard. Jack Carney kicked a gorgeous two-pointer just before the hooter to ensure his side were cheered off the field.
On first impression, Moranball will prove popular out west. They kicked plenty of ball inside with possession and pressed man-on-man all over the field without out. Aidan O’Shea was the early target. He won a free for Robbie Hennelly’s first free from outside the arc, laid on a point for Ryan O’Donoghue and struck a goal midway through the half. A well-worked move saw Bob Tuohy opt for a final pass instead of the safety of a tap over score and his reward was a warmly received green flag.
Hennelly landed another sensational long-range free after a 50m advancement during a dominant second quarter.
There were box office duels all over the pitch. Johnny McGrath renewed his rivalry with O’Donoghue despite the Belmullet man moving to centre forward. Enda Hession was welded to Robert Finnerty. The tackling, full length blocks and high pressing by both consolidated the tinderbox.
Pádraic Joyce would have been pleased with their start despite the half-time deficit. Debutant Oisin McDonagh swung over a booming point and followed it up with a two. Mulhern sprayed kick passes inside consistently at centre forward as he staked his claim to fill in for Matthew Thompson while the Young Footballer of the Year nominee is Stateside. They carved out two quality goal chances, but Kieran Molloy blasted over and Mulhern hit the woodwork.
Darragh Beirne rolled in a cool finish at the same end to cap an awesome start to the second half for Mayo. They scored 1-3 to one point in a seven-minute burst. From that point on, Galway’s ambition became damage control.
11 points up, Hennelly suddenly found himself under siege. Galway created five goal chances in row, only converting one. That itself was an improvised finish as Shane McGrath dribbled the ball along the ground and found the net.
Mulhern flashed a shot beyond the post. Daniel O’Flaherty’s effort was saved. Shane Walsh was denied by a terrific Sam Callinan block. Paddy Durcan produced another.
Inevitably, those misses proved costly when a breakaway kickout ended in a Cian McHale goal. Fionn McDonagh capped an immense debut at the other end when he found the net after a Matthias Barrett long delivery.
Despite a black card, Galway responded once more. David McBrien raced back to halt a Sean Kelly goal bound shot and Mulhern swung over from outside the arc to set up a grandstand finale.
F. McDonagh 1-4; R. Finnerty 0-5 (0-2 frees); S. McGrath 1-0; O. McDonagh 0-3 (tp); C. Mulhern 0-3 (tp); K. Molloy, D. O’Flaherty, F Ó Laoi 0-1 each.
R. Hennelly 0-6 (3 tpf); R. O’Donoghue 0-5 (1tpf); D. Beirne 1-1; A. O’Shea, C. McHale 1-0 each; J. Carney 0-3 (tp); J. Flynn 0-2; F. Boland 0-1.
C. Gleeson; K. Molloy, S. Fitzgerald, J. Glynn; L. Silke, J. McGrath, D. McHugh; S. Kelly, C. Hernon; F Ó Laoi, C. Mulhern, D. O’Flaherty; F. McDonagh, R. Finnerty, O. McDonagh.
S. Walsh for Ó Laoi (31-35, temp); M. Barrett for Ó Laoi (41); S. McGlinchey for Hernon, S. Walsh for McDonagh (both 43); S. McGrath for Molloy; Liam Ó Conghaile for O’Flaherty (65).
Black card: M. Barrett (66).
R. Hennelly; E. McGreal, S. Coen, E. Hession; S. Callinan, M. Plunkett, S. Morahan; B. Tuohy, D. McBrien; J. Carney, R. O’Donoghue, J. Flynn; D. Beirne, A. O’Shea, T. Conroy.
P. Durcan for McGreal (Inj – 17); C. McHale for Beirne, C. Dawson for Flynn (both 43); J. Carr for Conroy (55); F. Boland for Plunkett (60).
C. Lane (Cork).
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
