Football Connacht FBD League
Mayo 2-14
NUI Galway 1-9
Edwin McGreal
Ballinrobe
A SECOND half performance in which Mayo exercised almost complete control over NUIG saw them coast to an eight point win over the students on Wednesday night at Flanagan Park.
A lacklustre Mayo had trailed by 0-6 to 0-4 at half-time but a much more clinical and direct Mayo emerged for the second half and the results were clear, outscoring their opponents by 2-10 to 1-3 during the second 35 minutes.
The setting in Ballinrobe was resplendent with a crowd close to 1,000 turning out for the novelty of floodlit football.
Mayo had led by 0-4 to 0-2 after the quarter-hour mark with Marty McNicholas, Mickey Mullins (a fine effort from distance), Austin O’Malley (free) and a great team move involving Padden, Mortimer, McNicholas and ending with Michael Conroy pointing.
Mayo clicked into gear in the third quarter. McNicholas (free), Ger Brady and a wonderful left footed point from O’Malley, followed by a right footed effort from the same player, had them two in front (0-8 to 0-6).
A goal from Marty McNicholas was then followed up by a point by sub Aidan Campbell, even though NUIG gave themselves some hope when David O’Gara fielded a high ball and crashed it to the net soon after.
However, Mayo attacked from the subsequent kick-out. Campbell and Mortimer linked, the latter placing Austin O’Malley who crashed an unstoppable shot to the roof of the net from 15 yards.
Mayo didn’t let up and in the final fifteen minutes outscored their opponents by 0-5 to 0-2. Aidan Kilcoyne (two frees), Campbell, Mortimer and O’Malley were on target with two efforts from Shane Stenson the reply from NUIG.
Out of the FDB but the competition has had its uses for John O’Mahony.
Mayo
D Clarke; L O’Malley, J Kilcullen, D Geraghty; G Mullins, B Padden, J Scanlon; J Nallen, E Casey; M Mullins (0-1), G Brady (0-1), T Mortimer (0-1); M McNicholas (1-2, 1f), A O’Malley (1-4, 1f), M Conroy (0-1).
Subs: O Feeney for Scanlon (h/t); A Kilcoyne (0-2, 2fs) for M Mullins (46mins); A Campbell (0-2) for Casey (46mins); M Mullins for Brady (51mins).
NUI Galway
C McDonagh; P Reilly, F Hanley, G Cafferkey; S Drake, C Monahan, G Bradshaw; D Duffy (1-1), R McCann; S Stenson (0-6, 1f), B Kelly, K Kennedy (0-1); C Kenny, F Breathnach, R Kane.
Subs: B Guckian (0-1) for Kennedy (inj. 22mins); D Conway for Bradshaw (h/t); D Costello for Kane (h/t); J O’Hara for; G Rogan for McCann (51mins).
Referee: D Corcoran (Islandeady)
