Impressive Mayo blast past disappointing Galway

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE ROUND 1

Galway 0-10

Mayo 2-12

In Salthill

AN impressive performance from Mayo secured an eight-point win in the season-opener in Salthill today. A superb first half display against the strong wind set the tone for the day and they comfortably accounted for a very disappointing Galway outfit.

At half time, Mayo went to the dressingroom with a four-point lead despite playing into the teeth of the gale. Tenacious at the back, hugely competitive in the middle and exciting in attack, Kevin McStay's men were running Galway ragged.

Eoghan McLaughlin's bullet to the bottom corner after eleven minutes was just one of numerous goal chances created by a fluid, flowing Mayo side who had Fergal Boland handling a huge amount of ball at centre-half-forward and Aidan O'Shea creating havoc nearer goal.

Jack Coyne, David McBrien, Sam Callinan, McLaughlin, Bob Tuohy and Jack Carney were among those who stood out as the green and red painted colourful pictures with their passing, running and go-forward football.

Galway were struggling in all departments. Padraic Joyce cut a frustrated figure on the sideline and the home side had a monumental task ahead of them, coming out to face the gale with a four-point deficit to make up.

The introduction of Paul Conroy at half time have Galway some solidity but they never looked like overhauling Mayo who were less expressive after the break.

Boland kicked a stunner four minutes into the second half but the fare wasn't as flowing after that as Mayo became less fluid. A long-range point from Paddy Durcan set Mayo hearts racing for a time as Galway tried to stay in it courtesy of Shane Walsh placed balls.

Mayo never looked in danger of being reeled in and goalkeeper Colm Reape was highly-influential, sweeping up in the back line and delivering some excellent kick-outs.

Paul Towey and Diarmuid Duffy made major impacts when introduced from the bench with Towey kicking two classy points and teenager Duffy being fouled for a late penalty converted clinically by Cillian O'Connor.

Mayo will now look forward to next Saturday night when Dublin will be the guests in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park.

A full match report, reaction and analysis will be carried in Tuesday's Mayo News

Read our editorial: Mayo all set for another tilt at Sam Maguire.

Share your opinion: Pick your Mayo Team that you think would win the All Ireland!

MAYO

C Reape; J Coyne, D McBrien, R Brickenden; P Durcan (0-1), S Callinan, E McLaughlin (1-0); J Flynn (0-2), J Carney; C Reid, F Boland (0-3), B Tuohy (0-1); T Conroy, A O'Shea, R O'Donoghue (0-2f)

Subs; D Duffy for Reid (46), P Towey (0-2) for Conroy (56), C O'Connor (1-0p) for O'Shea (59), D McHugh for Tuohy (62), S Coen for Boland (69)

GALWAY

C Gleeson; J McGrath, S Fitzgerald, E Kelly; S Mulkerrin, J Daly, K Molloy; J Maher, D McHugh (0-1); J Heaney, S Walsh (0-5, 3f, 1 '45), C Darcy; L Ó Conghaile (0-2), N Daly, C Sweeney (0-1)

Subs; M Tierney for Daly (19), P Conroy for Heaney (ht), C Ó Curraoin (0-1) for Molloy (50), R Finnerty for Darcy (52), D O'Flaherty for Ó Conghaile (63)

Ref: S Hurson (Tyrone)