EirGrid Connacht Under 20 Football Championship Semi-Final

MAYO 0-11 GALWAY 1-8

Mayo won 7-6 on penalties after extra-time

By Cian O'Connell at Tuam Stadium

There was no shortage of drama as Mayo advanced to the Connacht Under 20 decider.

Conor Flynn drilled the decisive penalty in a tense shootout which went to sudden death.

Goalkeeper Ronan Connolly made two saves enabling Maurice Sheridan's well organised outfit to reach next week's provincial final against either Roscommon or Sligo, who clash tomorrow.

Two solid defensive units restricted the forwards throughout a tight encounter.

Only five points were registered during the first half of normal time with both teams struggling to convert opportunities.

Galway converted three from nine before the break, while Mayo only raised two white flags from 12 attempts.

That initially was the story of the game, but after the restart there was plenty to admire in the manner Mayo thundered into the contest.

A flurry of three points on the spin from Jack Carney, Jack Mahon, and Frank Irwin edged them 0-6 to 0-5 in front, but it remained hard fought.

Tomo Culhane responded with two efforts for Galway, but Mayo levelled courtesy of substitute Paddy Heneghan before a Connell Dempsey free nudged them ahead.

Galway's Nathan Grainger announced his arrival with a splendid point ensuring extra-time was necessary.

Within two minutes Galway pinched a goal when Nathan Grainger slotted a penalty following a foul on Tomo Culhane. Galway didn't score again, though, as points from Connell Dempsey (free), Dylan Thornton, and Jack Mahon (free) forced a penalty shootout.

Scorers for Mayo: Jack Mahon 0-4 (3fs), Connell Dempsey 0-2 (2fs), Ultan O'Reilly, Paddy Heneghan, Dylan Thornton, Jack Carney, and Frank Irwin 0-1 each.

Scorers for Galway: Nathan Grainger 1-1 (1-0 pen), Tomo Culhane 0-3 (2fs, 1m), Conall Gallagher, Matthew Cooley, Ryan Monahan, and Tony Gill 0-1 each.

MAYO: Ronan Connolly; Sean Holmes, Ruairi Keane, Eoin Gilraine; Conor Flynn, Ryan Baynes, Aidan Cosgrove; Conor Dunleavey, Jack Carney; Ethan Henry, Owen McHale, Connell Dempsey; Ultan O’Reilly, Frank Irwin, Jack Mahon.

Subs: Dylan Thornton for O'Reilly (37), Paddy Heneghan for O McHale (46), Conor Reid for Gilraine (51), Cian McHale for Carney (79).

GALWAY: Conor Flaherty; Jonathan McGrath, Eoghan Geraghty, Ruairi King; Cian Hernon, Tony Gill, Dylan Brady; Conor Raftery, Conall Gallagher; Alan Greene, Warren Seoige, Ryan Monahan; Daniel Cox, Tomo Culhane, Matthew Cooley.

Subs: James McLoughlin for Gallagher (46), Diarmuid Kilcommins for Greene (46), Nathan Grainger for Cooley (55), Alan Morris for Brady (60), Conall Gallagher for Raftery (70), Alan Greene for Morris (75), Oisin Gormley for Monahan (77).

REFEREE: John Gilmartin (Sligo).