Galway enjoy upper hand over Mayo to make Connacht League decider

Mayo 0-13 Galway 0-17

Galway emerged as convincing four-point winners over Mayo to book a place in the final of the FBD Connacht League decider following a lively semi-final at the Connacht GAA NUI Air Dome at Bekan on Friday evening.

The introduction of Shane Walsh was a key factor in swinging the game for the Tribesmen, who had that bit more of a physical edge to them in the season opener for both sides.

Mayo were just a point behind going into the last 15 minutes and seemed to be about to get on terms, but Galway used their pace and power to score a deserving win over their neighbours.

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Mayo had two points on the board after just four minutes through Fergal Boland and one of Mayo's five debutants, Sam Callinan, finding the target. But it was Galway who gradually began to take control and they went in at the break with a fully deserving three point lead, 0-10 to 0-7 – Damien Comer with two from play, Paul Conroy, Matthew Tierney and Johnny Heaney hitting some good scores in what was a lively first half.

MAYO: R Byrne; D McHugh, P O'Hora, S Callinan (0-1); P Durcan, M Plunkett, E McLaughlin; C O Shea, J Flynn; F Boland (0-2), D O'Connor, F Irwin (0-1); J Healy, F Duffy (0-4, four frees), J Mahon.

Subs: R Brickenden for Plunkett, P Heneghan for Healy, R O Donoghue (0-5, four frees) for Mahon (all h/t), S Coen for Durcan, D Coen for Callinan.

GALWAY: C Flaherty; J Glynn, S Fitzgerald, L Silke; J Heaney (0-2), D McHugh, C McDaid; N Daly, M Tierney (0-2, one 45); C McWalter, P Conroy (0-3, two frees), F O'Laoi; R Finnerty (0-3, three frees), D Comer (0-2), D Conneely (0-1, free).

Subs: T Culhane (0-1) for Conneely, T Gill for McDaid, J McLoughlin for Daly (all h/t), S Walsh (0- 2, one free, one mark) for Comer (40), P Kelly (0-1) for McWalter (45) J McGrath for Silke, L Costello for Tierney (both 50).

Referee: J Gilmartin (Sligo).