Galway 0-12 Mayo 1-7
All-Ireland champions Galway fashioned their ‘get-out-of-jail-free’ card in McHale Park, Castlebar this afternoon after stumbling to an unimpressive two point victory over Mayo in the Connacht semi-final.
John O’Mahony’s side appeared sluggish at times and only won through to the provincial final on the back of some desperate Mayo shooting in the second half.
Mayo found the ideal start after just 10 seconds when Michael Moyles blasted the ball high into the top corner of Galway 'keeper Alan Keane’s net.
With their tails up and the wind beginning to swirl in their favour, Mayo continued to dominate the opening exchanges. But despite their stranglehold on the Galway attack, Mayo should have profited more from their own forward division.
Galway captain Padraig Joyce was well contained early on but did display his attacking prowess midway through the half when dancing through the Mayo defence before having his goal attempt superbly blocked by Mayo ‘keeper Peter Burke.
Industrious forward James Gill contributed to team-mate Conor Mortimer’s earlier frees, pushing Mayo into an early lead. Galway midfielder Michael Donnellan endured a disappointing afternoon but hit two first half-frees to bridge Mayo’s half-time lead to four points. They led 1-5 to 0-4 at the break.
The breeze favoured Galway in the second half but it was Mayo who extended their lead through Brian Moloney. However, Matthew Clancy and Joyce found their range minutes later to keep the champions in touch.
Galway soon started dominating midfield and shut out the Mayo attack. It proved to be a crucial period for the champions. Despite their own problems negotiating Mayo's James and Tom Nallen, their half-back line turned in a heroic performance to deny Mayo the opportunity to pull away from a game they should have won comfortably.
Galway’s Paul Clancy put one score between the sides with nine minutes remaining but Mayo were still doggedly hanging in - albeit on the basis of their impressive first half performance.
Padraig Joyce then leveled matters in the final minute from a close range free but Mayo, somewhat undeservedly having spurned so many scoring chances late in the game, were gifted salvation.
A close range free. Sides level. Injury-time. But the unfortunate Conor Mortimer, who scored four good points earlier, edged the ball wide and with it Mayo’s hopes of a Connacht final spot.
Padraig and brother Tommy Joyce scored late injury-time scores to complete their side’s great escape.
Mayo will rue their woeful second half performance in front of the posts - they only scored two points - but it is Galway who progress to meet either Sligo or Leitrim in the Connacht final at the end of the month. Mayo go into tonight’s first round draw of the All-Ireland qualifying series.
GAA Results
Connacht SFC Semi-final
Galway 0-12 Mayo 1-7
Leinster SFC Quarter-final
Meath 1-12 Westmeath 0-11
Ulster SFC Quarter-final
Donegal 3-12 Down 1-6
Derry 0-16 Antrim 0-6
Munster SHC Semi-final
Tipperary 1-20 Limerick 1-13