Galway had no answer to superior Mayo at Croke Park

TYNAN'S TAKE (PART I): By Stuart Tynan

Time will tell whether Aidan O'Shea makes another walk up the steps of the Hogan Stand later this summer, but it was still as sweet as it could be when he lifted the Nestor Cup as Mayo retained their Connaught title following a brilliant comeback over Galway at Croke Park.

I wrote in this column last week that this was going to be a test that Mayo would pass with flying colours, although it's fair to say that not many were feeling that way after a disappointing first half display by the Green and Red.

I am not really buying into the idea that Galway were that much better than Mayo in the first half. Granted, Paul Conroy and Shane Walsh were causing problems, but Galway had the winds against their back, despite the sunny weather, and their first goal was quite fortuitous.

Mayo were on top in the first quarter but the concession of two quick goals after the first water break seemed to knock the wind out of them.

Mayo, at times, seemed like they were waiting for things to happen instead of taking this game by the scruff of the neck.

But once they did at the start of the second half, it was men against boys stuff. Watching the collapse unfold from Galway was quite hard to believe but looking back, Mayo's experience of big days in Croke Park came to the fore and physically, they were superior to the Tribesmen.

The introduction of Eoghan McLaughlin and Kevin McLoughlin for Bryan Walsh and Darren McHale, who had quiet outings in the first half, was the turning point. It allowed Aidan O'Shea to go to the edge of the square and bring Tommy Conroy and Ryan O'Donoghue more into the game.

O'Shea's presence played a part in winning the penalty after Ruane was brought down, and once O'Donoghue expertly converted, the writing was on the wall.

Two men who deserve a special mention are Padraig O'Hora and Matthew Ruane. O'Hora was outstanding at full-back and it is a real shame that his game was ended prematurely due to a rib injury. Fingers crossed the Ballina Stephenites man is fit for the All-Ireland semi-final.

Ruane was a deserving man of the match. His influence on this Mayo teams grows with every game and the way he took his second goal was superb and he fended off numerous challenges before his composed finished.

The Leinster champions (more than likely Dublin) now await. Could this finally be the time Mayo get one over the Dubs?

*You can read Stuart's full column every Tuesday in our print edition.