O'Mahony plays down Mayo's double delight
MAYO repeated their recent NFL victory over Galway to win the title in freezing conditions at McHale Park, Castlebar.
Mayo were just about deserving winners, kicking on with scores from Ronan McGarrity, wing-back Chris Barrett, Enda Varley and Seamus O'Shea in the last five minutes after a much-improved Galway drew level on 0-8 apiece.
However, Mayo manager John O'Mahony played down the significance of beating Galway twice already this season. "It is nice to win a trophy at this time of the year but we know this result, and the league result, will count for absolutely nothing if we meet in the championship," he said. "There is no psychological edge to this win."
O'Mahony's side settled early and McGarrity fired them ahead inside a minute, with Varley, who impressed with four points, putting them two clear after five minutes.
It was Eoin Concannon who got Galway off the mark on six minutes, their second coming from Barry Cullinane after 14 minutes, the gap twice at the minimum in the half but it was Mayo who edged in front at half-time (0-6 to 0-4) thanks to the best score of the game on 30 minutes from Andy Moran.
Within a minute of the restart Aiden O'Shea hit the bottom of the upright but the rebound was pounced on by Varley who edged Mayo three ahead and another Moran point put the gap at four.
A superb point from Joe Bergin followed by two points from wing-back Garry O'Donnell and free from Cillian de Paor had Galway level at 0-8 apiece on 52 minutes.
A fine long-range score from McGarrity sparked Mayo's response as they secured their fifth FBD League title and the added prize of a trip to New York in November.
SCORERS -- Mayo: E Varley 0-4 (0-1f), R McGarrity, A Moran 0-2 each, P Gardiner, C Barrett, S O'Shea, M Ronaldson 0-1 each. Galway: C De Paor 0-3, E Concannon (0-2f), G O'Donnell 0-2 each, B Cullinane, J Bergin 0-1 each.
MAYO -- K O'Malley; A Feeney, G Cafferkey, D Vaughan; P Gardiner, T Howley, C Barrett; T Parsons, R McGarrity; A Moran, B Kelly, S O'Shea; E Varley, A O'Shea, M Ronaldson. Subs: N Douglas for Kelly (50), K McLoughlin for Howley (55), M Sweeney for Ronaldson (57).
GALWAY -- E Conneely; D O'Neill, F Hanley, E McDonagh; T Fahy, D Blake, G O'Donnell; B Cullinane, N Coleman; C Bane, C De Paor, C Healy; E Concannon, J Bergin, M Martin. Subs: D Dunleavy for Bane (14).
Ref -- M Duffy (Sligo).
Irish Independent
