GAA round-up
Mayo laid to rest their Croke Park hex with a one point (0-13 to 0-12) victory over Connacht rivals Galway in the National Football League Division One final at Croke Park this afternoon.
The game did not prove the spectacle it once promised but nevertheless Mayo’s never say die attitude was sufficient to carry them through to their first NFL title since 1970.
The first half was a scrappy lifeless affair and Galway took to the break with a one point advantage.
Galway’s advantage should have been more considerable but wayward first half shooting from forwards John Donnellan and Derek Savage limited last year’s All-Ireland finalists to that one point lead.
Midway through the second half Mayo manager Pat Holmes introduced the experienced duo of James Nallen and Maurice Sheridan. These changes would eventually turn the game in Mayo’s favour.
Nallen injected much needed fire and aggression into the team and with three minutes remaining the sides were level.Mayo, taking the game to their opponents, broke up field searching desperately for a way through the Galway defence.
Mayo captain Noel Connelly broke from his left half back position and raced up field to feed Marty McNicholas who duly turned to slot the ball over the bar for the winning point.
Galway failed to score in the final 28 minutes of the game.Mayo outclassed their opponents in the second half but never pressed home that advantage with scores.
Earlier in the day Westmeath rounded off a memorable league campaign with a fine 3-11 to 2-13 victory over a heavily fancied Cork side in the NFL Division 2 final.
Cork dominated in the opening half but slack defending in the second half allowed David O’Shaughnessy and Ger Heavin through to belt home crucial goals for Westmeath.
Meanwhile, Clare have won through to a National Hurling League final meeting against Tipperary after their thoroughly commanding 2-21 to 3-8 victory over Kilkenny at Semple Stadium, Thurles.
In the Guinness Leinster Hurling championship Meath needed extra-time to defeat a resillient Kildare side 2-25 to 2-24 in a thrilling exhibition of hurling at Clane.At Dr Cullen Park Laois had little difficulty in beating Carlow 2-17 to 1-4.