CONNACHT MFC SEMI-FINAL Mayo 2-14 Galway 1-6: KILLEEN O'CONNOR'S stunning second-half goal set Mayo up for a 11-point win over a mediocre Galway side at Markievicz Park in Sligo yesterday.

Galway were still well in the game five minutes into the second half – trailing Mayo by just four points – when the Ballintubber man spread-eagled the Galway defence before shooting low past goalkeeper Manus Breathnach.

Galway got in for a goal of their own when captain Ronan Steed rattled Michael Zimmermann’s net in the 55th minute, but it was far too little too late.

Mayo had the upperhand in the opening half with a couple of late John Ross Bodkin frees giving the Connacht champions a half-time lead of 0-7 to 0-4.

Patrick Sweeney was on target twice in the second half and Steed’s goal was their only other score of the half.

Man-of-the-match, Mayo’s Shane McDermott, who shone at at centre-half back, hit over a lovely point with the outside of his boot in the opening minutes of the second half.

Mayo’s Killeen O’Connor was sent off five minutes before the end of the game but the champions had the game wrapped up at that stage.

After this impressive performance, Mayo will be confident of reaching their second successive All-Ireland minor football final.

MAYO: M Zimmermann; M Walsh, K Riggers, D Gavin; K Crowe, S McDermott (0-1), C Carlton; D Kirby, A Corduff; A Farrell, D Coen (0-2), F Durkin; B Rutledge (0-3, one free), A Walsh (0-7, two frees and 45), K O'Connor (1-1). Subs: J Carney (1-0)for Coen (56 mins); J O'Donoghue for Rutledge (63 mins); D Geraghty for Gavin (65 mins).

GALWAY: M Breathnach; S Coughlan, J Duane, G Sweeney; S Bohan , B Flaherty, C O'Halloran; R O'Connell, F O'Corraoin; T Flynn, JR Bodkin (0-2 frees), D Wynne; R Steede (1-0), E Monahan (0-1), P Sweeney (0-3). Subs: E Langan for Flaherty (40 mins); C Sweeney for O'Corraoin (44 mins); P O'Griofa for O'Halloran (52 mins).

Referee: D Hunt(Roscommon).