Round-up: Wins for Galway and Mayo in Connacht U20 Football Championship

DALATA HOTEL GROUP CONNACHT U-20 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

GALWAY 3-10 (3-1-8) ROSCOMMON 1-11 (1-2-7)

MAYO 0-17 (0-1-15) SLIGO 0-15 (0-3-9)

There were wins for Galway and Mayo in the first round of games in the Dalata Hotel U-20 football championship this evening, but both Roscommon and Sligo were sufficiently competitive to suggest that yet again, this will be one of the most engrossing provincial championships to be played over the next few months.

Tuam Stadium was the venue for the meeting of Galway and Roscommon where the visitors’ inaccuracy and the Tribesmen’s greater efficiency was the story of the opening half.

Roscommon raised just three flags in the opening half from 15 scoring chances, leaving themselves with a mountain to climb.

Niall Heneghan landing a double was a false dawn as chances after chance went askew for Cian Smith’s side, and two Galway goals in quick succession further punished that wastefulness.

Ciarán Mulhern and Maitiú Ó Domhnaill combined to set up Shay McGlinchey for the first goal on a breakaway move, with Cian Mitchell adding a second after Ross Coen’s shot eluded Patrick Gaynor.

John Curran hit a goal and another two-pointer to undo some of the damage but Mikey Mulryan and Matthew Collins struck points to give Galway a 2-5 to 1-4 half time lead and that was extended further with a Mulhern two-pointer after the break.

Roscommon had the best of the last 20 minutes with Cathal McKeon and Dean Casey effective off the bench, the latter playing four days after contesting the All-Ireland Senior “B” schools final with St. Nathy’s.

Just when it looked like it might get competitive, Matthew Collins hit Galway’s third goal, Charlie O’Carroll was unlucky not to reply in kind when he hit the crossbar, and Galway held on for the dream start to this campaign.

At Kilcoyne Park in Tubbercurry, senior stars Kobe McDonald (0-2) and Darragh Beirne (0-6, 0-4f) were productive in the Mayo forward line, but it was Tom Lydon of Mayo and Eli Rooney of Sligo who really caught the eye, the latter landing three frees from outside the arc to send this one down to the wire.

Mayo, the reigning Connacht champions, hit a rich vein of form midway through the first half to open up a gap. Inspired by a wonderful display from team captain Colm Lynch, the latest in a long line of rampaging wing backs from a county that specialises in players of that vein, Mayo hit five points in a row, including two from Lydon and one from James Lavelle, to go 0-9 to 0-3 in front.

There was still five between the teams with 42 minutes played when Rooney hit 0-3 and Eamon O’Mahony landed another, rousing the home crowd. With Conor Walsh and Cathal Gilligan going well around the middle to give Sligo plenty of ball, the hosts drew level with five minutes to play when Rooney brought his tally to 0-11. They couldn’t find the finish they needed however and instead it was Darragh Beirne who wrapped up Mayo’s win with two late scores.