Two Kobe screamers light up the night as Mayo win

CONNACHT U-20 CHAMPIONSHIP

Mayo 3-16

Galway 1-12

In Castlebar

A lot done - More to do! That was the mantra from MacHale Park tonight as Mayo secured a place in the provincial final. Three fine goals decorated a workmanlike display from the home side. Whoever won tonight's clash between the old rivals were guaranteed a spot in the decider and the Green and Red grabbed the ticket with both hands.

Keith Higgins' men were clear and deserving winners, but the team boss will be fully aware of the improvements needed if his team are to reach their full potential. They struggled for periods in the middle of the field and coughed up possession too easily at the back in the first half, but the defensive play was much improved after the interval.

Throw in two stunning goals from Kobe McDonald in the first half and another bullet from Dylan Flynn after the break and there was clear blue water between the sides at the end.

Mayo led by 12 at the break, 2-10 to 0-4, after being backed by the very strong breeze, but were slightly flattered by the scoreline. Two stunning goals from McDonald, a couple of two-pointers from Daragh Beirne and another from Joey Holmes helped the home side go the interval well clear.

However, they were dicing with death on occasion at the back. Galway were finding room where none should have existed and on a number of occasions Mayo defenders gave the ball away too easily.

It took a fine intervention from goalkeeper Conor Meaney just before half-time to prevent a Galway goal and one wondered if the young men in maroon would make more of an impression in the second half.

They certainly tried, and came out for the second half in determined mood, but some of the Galway shooting was poor in the extreme. The Tribesmen blitzed the Mayo kick-out in the first ten minutes of the new half, winning seven in a row, but fine defensive play from the home side and woeful conversion attempts from the guests meant the expected revival didn't occur.

Instead, Mayo weathered the storm with Rio Mortimer and Oisin Deane prominent. A bending, twisting point from McDonald also helped and when Tom Lydon sent the hard-working Flynn through for a goal it seemed all over. Mayo were 14 clear, 3-13 to 0-8, and out of sight.

Galway's impressive captain Mikey Mulryan tried to revive his men with a couple of two-pointer frees in the 53rd minute and the Caltra ace then ran through for a goal but the gap was too wide and Mayo eased home with two late points from impressive wing-back Colm Lynch.

Mayo can now prepare for the Connacht Final in two weeks time against either Galway or Roscommon who meet in next week's semi-final.