Connaught minor glory for Mayo

Stuart Tynan

Published: Mon 6 Jun 2022, 9:05 PM

Last updated: Mon 6 Jun 2022, 9:06 PM

Mayo 0-13

Galway 0-7

Mayo were crowned Connaught minor champions after a well-earned six-point victory over Galway at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park this evening.

Sean Deane’s charges lead from start to finish and the Tribesmen could have no complaints with the results. Mayo’s reward for their win is an All-Ireland quarterfinal against Kildare while Galway will take on Leinster champions Dublin, with both quarterfinals taking place this Sunday in Tullamore.

After two early wides, a wonderful individual effort from Niall Hurley got Mayo up and running in the fifth minute before following it up with another one in the tenth moments after Galway spurned a massive goal opportunity, with John MacMonagle coming to Mayo‘s rescue after blocking Seán Dunne’s attempt.

Colm Costello fired over Galway’s first from a free before both sides exchanged two points apiece, Ronan Clarke (free) and Niall Hurley for Mayo, and Stephen Curley and Colm Costello (free) for Galway.

Mayo had a glorious chance in the 21st minute as Dara Hurley ran through but his goal attempt thundered off the bar. Two further scores from Ronan Clarke extended Mayo’s lead to three as Galway spurned a number of scoreable chances.

Mayo punished them further as Luke Feeney got the last score of the half from a mark for the Green and Red take a 0-7 to 0-3 lead into the break.

Mayo picked up where they left off as Jack Keane hit over a beauty before goalkeeper David Dolan hit over a splendid free to stretch Mayo’s lead to six.

Galway hit back-to-back scores for the first time in this final through another Colm Costello free and Cillan Trayers first from play but were unable to eat further into Mayo’s lead.

Niall Hurley got Mayo’s first score in over ten minutes in put the Green and Red five in front before substitute Zac Collins restored Mayo’s six point advantage.

Vinny Gill and Trayers’ second of the half brought it back to four only to see Ronan Clarke (free) and a fantastic effort from Niall Hurley bring it back to six.

Galway pushed bodies forward to find a goal to set up a frantic finale, but Mayo held firm to secure their first Connaught minor title since 2019.

Mayo: D. Dolan (0-1f); R. Mortimer, J. MacMonagle, L. Silke; L. Maloney, C. McHale, P. Gilmore; J. Keane (0-1), L. Feeney (0-1m); J. Maheady, D. Hurley, D. Duffy; C. Keaveney, R. Clarke (0-4, 0-3f), N. Hurley (0-5).

Subs used: D. Gallagher, O. Armstrong, Z. Collins (0-1), S. O’Dowd, J. Finn.

Galway: K. Gilmore; A. Colleran, T. Farthing, V. Gill (0-1); M. Mannion, C. Trayers (0-2), R. Coen; J. Lonergan, S. McGlinchey; S. Dunne, C. Costello (0-3f), O. Morgan; S. Curley (0-1), E. Monaghan, R. Flaherty.

Subs used: O. Kelly, C. Cox, F. O’Connor, J. Summerville, L. Carr.

Ref: B. Judge (Sligo).