Michael Duffy’s analysis of Mayo’s performance
David Clarke 7
Had his busiest afternoon in the Mayo goal after Galway’s early onslaught, making one fine smothering save from Meehan. Could not be faulted for either of the goals.
Keith Higgins 7
Kept Meehan to a point from play but his delegated man-marking duties meant he never got a chance to display his obvious attacking potential.
Kieran Conroy 5
A game to forget for the the Shrule man but you had to feel sorry for a club midfielder asked to play corner-back on a slippery customer like Nicky Joyce.
Colm Boyle 5
Like Conroy, found it hard to cope during Galway’s whirlwind start and playing Cormac Bane from behind was the wrong option.
Tom Cunniffe 6
Let Joyce slip from his grasp for Galway’s first goal and lost Breathnach for the second but kept his direct opponents quiet for most of the game.
David Heaney 7
Found it tough to track the roaming Joyce as he decided to hold the centre-back position. Used the ball well when in possession but could end up at number three again.
James Nallen 7
Justified his selection with a good display, although Matthew Clancy did cause him trouble early on. Won a lot of breaking ball in the second half.
Ronan McGarrity 7
Enjoyed a real toe-to-toe tussle with Cullinane and more than held his own against an awkward customer. However, offered no attacking threat.
Tom Parsons 7
Followed up his starring role against Sligo with a good all round performance, setting up Mayo’s goal and generally causing Coleman plenty of problems.
Mayo’s Man of the Match
Alan Dillon 9
A fine all round display full of energy and enthusiasm. Gave Gary Sice a torrid afternoon and his 0-7 haul underlined his increasing importance to Mayo up front.
Pat Harte 7
An anonymous first half was followed by a quality second half display where he was the launch pad for many of Mayo’s attacks. Needs to get into scoring positions more often.
Trevor Mortimer 7
Was at his marauding best for the opening twenty minutes but a one point end product was not enough. His proneness to injury is now in danger of overshadowing his career.
Conor Mortimer 6
Jekyll and Hyde were both unfortunately on show again. Glimpses of real quality were overshadowed by missed frees and weak attempts at goal.
Austin O’Malley 5
Never got going and lost almost every 50-50 ball to Finian Hanley. Didn’t have a meaningful shot at the Galway posts and unsurprisingly hauled off early in the second half.
Andy Moran 7
Well marshalled by Bradshaw in the first half but won plenty of breaks when moved out the field in the second half and carried the ball forward with intent.
Subs
Aidan Higgins 7
Helped relieve the pressure on the Mayo defence by getting in Matthew Clancy’s face and was solid throughout the second half. Back in contention for a starting berth.
Peadar Gardiner 7
Back on familiar ground in the half-back line and put in a solid defensive display without making many forays up the field. Another back in the frame to start.
Aidan Kilcoyne 7
Took his goal well and found space in the inside forward line but missed a goal opportunity, put on a plate for him by Dillon, that could have wrapped up the game.
Billy Joe Padden 8
Finally got to see him back in his natural half forward position and he kicked two fine scores when Mayo needed them badly.
Mark Ronaldson (-)
Not on long enough to be rated
The Management
A tough day at the office for John O’Mahony and co. Conroy and Boyle’s unfamiliarity with playing in the full-back line were exposed brutally by Galway.
Although changes remedied the problem, and the team showed great spirit to come roaring back into contention in the second half, Galway still looked the more likely to engineers winning scores. Major selection headaches now exist for the qualifiers with Higgins, O’Malley, Howley, Gardiner, Padden and Kilcoyne all likely to be considered.
