Mayo pipped at the post in Tuam thriller against Galway

CONNACHT MINOR CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 5

Galway 3-14

Mayo 3-12

TUAM

A thrilling game played in terrible weather conditions whetted the appetite for the upcoming provincial semi-final between these sides in two weeks time.

Galway won this battle between the two talented teams, but this result will have little impact when championship progression is on the line next time out.

Mayo played into the stiff wind in the opening half but turned in a fine performance to lead by a point at the change of ends. Goals from Patrick Garvey and Oisin McCann helped them to a 2-5 to 1-7 lead as Galway hit back with a net-shaker from corner-forward Adam Healy after a kick-out was intercepted.

READ MORE: WATCH: We preview Mayo's crunch Connacht semi-final with Leitrim

Some of the more prominent performers for Mayo in that opening half were impressive full-forward Tony Carey and centre-half-back Maidhc Óg Staunton.

The second half was a ding-dong affair with scores coming thick and fast at both ends. Galway corner-forward Barry Keating was excellent in the second period and the Oranmore Maree ace kicked 1-3 in the third quarter.

However, Mayo gave as good as they got in that period with points from Fiacra Ó Cinseala and Conor Jordan and a goal from Jack Comer after Carey's effort came back off the post. The scores were tied 2-11 to 3-8 at the start of the final quarter but Galway's growing dominance around the middle was to prove decisive in the run-in.

A goal from Tim Madden put the home side in front and when Cian Hynes landed a two-pointer in the 58^th minute the boys in maroon were four clear, 3-14 to 3-10. Mayo, to their credit never threw in the towel and a two-pointer from Ó Cinseala cut the gap to two in injury time.

There was still time for Mayo to draw or win the game but they couldn't create the scores to do so and Galway were still in front at the final whistle.

A full match report will be carried in Tuesday's Mayo News.