National Football League Division One semi-finals/Galway 1-12 Mayo 2-10:It wasn't quite a game of bluff but the giants of Connacht managed to go through the motions of a semi-final yesterday without giving anything away. In the end, this harmless curtain-raiser maintained the story of the league. Mayo found a way to win without playing particularly well; Galway can sign off happy with their revival and will no doubt wring whatever small measure of grievance they can from this defeat as they prepare for the real thing in Salthill in five weeks' time.

But when Padraig Joyce offered a small smile as a late equalising chance of his turned just wide, it was clear Galway would not be dwelling on defeat for long. Equally, John O'Mahony was not about to get carried away as he guided his team into the first national final of his tenure.

"The choice for us was to be down in Belleek running about the place or to be here, and I would prefer and I think the lads would prefer, to be here," he said.

Ultimately, both sides will have been glad to come through the game without leaving anything of controversy or rancour to carry into the championship.

Croke Park was a strange place yesterday, the counties going through warm-ups in an almost empty house and at times looking unsure of the wisdom of being here at all. There was the distinct sense of powder being kept dry.

Against that, several up-and-coming players caught the eye. For Galway, Cormac Bane continued his impressive league form, contributing 1-2 in the first half and grafting well through the second in a deeper role.

For Mayo, James Kilcullen coped fairly comfortably on both Joyce and Ja Fallon, and Keith Higgins had such a successful day on Michael Meehan it is hard to see it going as well for the Ballyhaunis man in the championship.

Though Galway's winning streak ended, this was probably their steadiest performance of the league. They have the consolation that both Mayo goals came somewhat out of the blue.

Ger Brady, Mayo's latest full-forward, made the most of a mix-up in the Galway defence to strike a fine goal on 15 minutes.

Galway were on top again early in the second half when Mayo pressure forced Ciarán Fitzgerald to err in his clearance and Conor Mortimer, thieving the ball, was dragged down in the square. The Shrule man missed his penalty but Alan Dillon drove home off Paul Doherty's save.

That score served to rouse the game, and for the last 20 minutes the players forgot about their next appointment and enjoyed the day for what it was.

David Heaney had another influential game, doing many small things well, occasionally bursting forward and winning the 54th-minute free that gave Mayo the lead for the first time. Peadar Gardiner was reliable as ever, and on the left wing Enda Devenney had a fine match, busy in the first half, marshalling Bane in the second and also showing his attacking flair, bustling through for an Alan Dillon pass on 56 minutes and firing a useful point. And as the game entered its last 10 minutes, Devenney won the ball and delivered a fine pass for his clubmate Ger Brady to boom over.

It is a slight concern that Galway landed just one point, a Joyce free, in that closing period. But they created plenty and bow out of the league as something of an enigma. Indications are the defence is fairly solid, and they have the option of switching Diarmuid Blake - at midfield yesterday - back. There is also evidence the forwards are capable of prodigious scoring bursts.

Equally, they still seem prone to lapse into indifferent play.

Mayo too remain a work in progress. It is hard to fathom that they hit 2-10 here, because the forwards did not play well as a unit, despite the industry of Dillon, Brady and Mortimer. There was a period early in the game when Mayo's difficulties were uncomfortably evident. They laboured to create anything from kick-outs, struggled with sideline possession as the Galway half-forwards and midfield pressed up, and under pressure coughed up several unforgivable scores.

Bane's goal was the result of a Mayo clearance dropping into the arms of Joe Bergin, who immediately thumped the ball into the unmarked Padraig Joyce. The Killererin man sauntered unchallenged in front of the Canal End before handing it to the promising Bane to finish.

Mayo were in trouble again seven minutes later, Higgins playing a sideline ball only to find his team-mates static. Michael Meehan intercepted and found Savage, who clipped a point.

But as has been their wont in this league, they came good when it mattered and are now on the verge of a national title. It would be as good a way as any for O'Mahony to prepare for his sort of homecoming to Salthill.

GALWAY: P Doherty; F Fitzgerald, F Hanley, D Burke; D Meehan, N Coyne, M Comer; J Bergin, P Geraghty; D Savage (0-1), J Fallon, N Joyce (0-4, 3 frees); M Meehan, P Joyce (0-5, 3 frees), C Bane (1-2). Subs: N Coleman for M Meehan (64 mins), B Cullinane for N Joyce (67 mins).

MAYO: D Clarke; K Higgins, J Kilcullen, L O'Malley; E Devenney (0-1), BJ Padden, P Gardiner; P Harte (0-1), D Heaney; A Dillon (1-2, 0-1 a free), A Moran (0-1), A Kilcoyne (0-1); C Mortimer (0-3 frees), G Brady (1-1), K O'Neill. Subs: M Conroy for K O'Neill, A Campbell for A Kilcoyne (both 44 mins).

Referee: D Coldrick (Meath).