Padraic Joyce breaks Mayo’s hearts again
Galway 2-9
Mayo 1-11
Mike Finnerty
Castlebar
JUST when Mayo were starting to think positively about the future, a familiar figure returned from their past last Sunday to put an end to the recent run of encouraging results.
With one swing of his cultured left foot, Galway’s Padraic Joyce has managed to raise doubts in our minds again about Mayo’s readiness for the battle that will commence in less than ten weeks time. Such is life after a one point defeat to the auld enemy.
McHale Park has grown used to hosting wars of attrition between these two fierce rivals so nobody was too surprised when this league match quickly evolved into a good, old-fashioned skirmish.
The teams were level five times and a draw looked a distinct possibility coming down the home stretch. Instead, a short kick-out from David Clarke into the gale-force wind went awry and the crafty Joyce curled over an exquisite winner from the left wing. There were 69 minutes on the clock at that stage and time ran out as Mayo chased down an equaliser that eluded them.
So, why did Galway win? Well, two of the primary reasons were their goals. The first after 34 minutes from Fiachra Breathnach dragged them back into contention at a time when Mayo were in the process of building a substantial lead to take into half-time.
The second from Matthew Clancy, four minutes into the second half, propelled the visitors into the lead for the first time and forced Mayo to go chasing the game. The fact that they had to do so into the teeth of the wind, hailstones and snow showers merely added to the sense of injustice.
To their credit, Mayo’s team-work and running game saw them draw level after 50 minutes and go in front twice in the final quarter. In fact when rookie full-back Kieran Conroy sprinted downfield to fist Mayo into the lead in the 68th minute, the home supporters were contemplating a morale-boosting success.
Instead, Galway summoned a devastating late rally. Liam Sammon’s team have won four of their five league matches playing an attack-minded brand of football and they stuck to their principles in the closing stages here; Paul Conroy hooking a superb equaliser from long range before the man for all seasons, Padraic Joyce, settled the issue.
It was rough justice on Mayo but, not for the first time in the competition, they were taught some harsh and valuable lessons about the realities of life in the upper echelons. In particular, primary defensive duties, turn-overs, and shot selection are likely to feature highly in John O’Mahony’s post-match analysis. So will the fact that Mayo’s inside line were blunted significantly, Conor Mortimer, Austin O’Malley and Andy Moran managing just 1-1 from play between them.
Despite playing with the aid of the gale in the first half, Mayo only led by 1-4 to 1-3 at the break. The first quarter was a turgid affair and it took a Tom Parsons score to ease Mayo into a 0-3 to 0-2 lead after 19 minutes.
Daylight appeared just minutes later when a move started by David Clarke travelled the length of the field without Galway laying a glove on the ball, and ended with Andy Moran’s clinical finish past Paul Doherty. It was Mayo’s best score of the match and when Austin O’Malley tapped over a free in the 32nd minute, everything was going to plan.
Ahead by five points, Mayo seemed to lose their concentration. They paid a heavy price as Michael Meehan picked out Fiachra Breathnach in behind the full-back line with an exquisite pass and he cracked a fierce shot to the net from fourteen yards. Galway sub’ Cormac Bane then nailed a sweet point in injury-time and the game was on.
The third quarter more than made up for what had gone before. Only four minutes after the restart David Clarke produced a stunning save to deny Michael Meehan a goal but Matthew Clancy followed up to drive the loose ball home.
Galway were now in front for the first time and their position was strengthened when Meehan (free) and Gary Sice added points in quick succession. The tide had turned and Mayo had to act fast.
Three points in four devastating minutes did the trick as David Heaney, Colm Boyle and James Gill fired over inspirational points to level the game again. It was now 2-5 to 1-8 and from there to the finish it was fast and furious.
As long as Mayo learn from their mistakes, this defeat will be no more than a footnote at the end of the year. However, next Sunday’s trip to Omagh will tell us even more about our true worth. The future remains as unpredictable as ever.
GALWAY
P Doherty; K Fitzgerald, F Hanley, D Burke; G Sice (0-1), N Coyne, D Mullahy; J Bergin, B Cullinane; D Dunleavy, P Joyce (0-2), D Meehan; M Clancy (1-0), M Meehan (0-4, 3fs), F Breathnach (1-0).
Subs used: C Bane (0-1) for Coyne (inj); P Conroy (0-1) for Bergin (inj); N Joyce for Bane; E Hoare for N Joyce.
MAYO
D Clarke; T Cunniffe, K Conroy (0-1), C Boyle (0-1); D Heaney (0-1), T Howley, K Higgins; R McGarrity, T Parsons (0-1); J Gill (0-1), A Dillon (0-1, 1f), P Harte; C Mortimer (0-2, 1f), A O’Malley (0-3, 3fs), A Moran (1-0).
Subs used: B Moran for Harte; P Kelly for Cunniffe; M Ronaldson for B Moran.
Referee: D Fahy (Longford)
