Battling Mayo champions come up short against superior Galway force

Dessie Conneely scored 0-10 in a man of the match display as Galway kingpins Moycullen proved too strong for Mayo champions Westport in the Connacht GAA senior club football quarterfinal, winning by 3-18 to 1-12 at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, Castlebar, this afternoon.

Westport enjoyed a decent start and a goal by Brian McDermott followed by an Oisin McLaughlin point around the 10-minute mark had them ahead, but a slick Moycullen outfit were always able to cut through the Mayo champions' defence and secure their scores, finishing the first half with 11 points on the board.

The crucial score, however, was a goal just before the break, scored by Daniel Cox following a slick move, leaving them with a commanding advantage by half-time (1-11 to 1-4).

Westport started the second half well but wastefulness in front of goal meant they were never able to eat into the deficit to any great extent. Had they found the scores at that stage that their overall approach play deserved, it might have made for a more difficult second period for the Galway champions.

However, a second Moycullen goal by Michael O'Reilly gave the Galway men a commanding 2-15 to 1-9 lead with just 10 minutes remaining.

There was a third goal in Moycullen before the end as Aiden Claffey found the net, but the game had really gone from Westport following the concession of that second goal.

The game finished with Moycullen’s Daniel Wynne picking up a straight red card, although this was generally a clean but hard fought game.

Westport will be disappointed that they were unable to take another step or two in the provincial series at their first attempt but they will also accept they came up against a superior, stronger force who had a number of very goal players – and an exceptional talent in Dessie Conneely.

Moycullen: A. Power; C. Corcoran, N. Mulcahy, D. Wynne (0-1); M. O'Reilly (1-0), E. Kelly, M. Mougan; P. Kelly (0-2), T. Clarke; G. Davoren, N. Walsh (0-4, 2f), S. Kelly; D. Cox (1-0), D. Connelly (0-10, 5f), O. Gallagher (0-1).

Subs used: C. Bohan, A. Claffey (1-0), M. Lydon, E. Kenny, C. Deane.

Westport: P. O'Malley; R. Brickenden (0-1), B. McDermott (1-0), N. McManamon; L. Shevlin, L. Keegan, Paul Lambert; F. McDonagh (0-1), B. O'Malley; C. Dawson, O. McLoughlin (0-2), L. Tunney; K. Keane, M. Moran (0-1), K. Kilkelly (0-6, 4f).

Subs used: E. McLaughlin, Pat Lambert, S. Scott, F. McLoughlin (0-1), R. Geraghty.

Referee: P. Neilan (Roscommon).