Connacht SFC Prev – Mayo v Galway

Mayo take on Galway today as the big two of Connacht clash at MacHale Park in a Connacht Championship Quarter-Final (4pm).

The long-time rivals met in last years’ Provincial Final when Mayo won out on a scoreline of 2-14 to Galway’s 2-8, eventually progressing to an All-Ireland Final.

The 2021 final was played at Croke Park for the first time in 100 years, and Mayo used their experience of the ground to push ahead in the second-half and seize victory after Galway failed to keep up with scoring.

Having to meet this early on, only one of the provincial neighbours will get to stay in the race for the J.J Nestor Cup this year and a lively game should be in store as Galway look for revenge.

Both sides come into this evening’s fixture off of strong league campaigns, the two counties featuring in their respective league divisions’ finals earlier this month.

Mayo placed second in Division One, with 4 wins and a draw to reach the league final although they were heavily defeated by a powerful Kerry team at Croke Park, albeit with some of their big-hitters absent.

Galway also placed second in their respective league (Div Two) to earn promotion to next years’ Division 1.

The Tribesmen recorded 6 wins to reach the Division Two final but like their opponents today, they too were defeated at Croker, losing out by a mere point to Connacht rivals Roscommon on the day.

Midfielder Paul Conroy (0-6) had an excellent scoring performance for Galway on that occasion and was followed by star full-forward Damien Comer (0-4) and those players will be vital for Galway today.

Shane Walsh was a late sub in the Division 2 Final although he will start today to give the Tribesmen further firepower in Castlebar.  

Ryan O’Donoghue topped the Division One scoring charts this season and the half-forward will be a key player for the Green and Red going forward.

Talisman Cillian O’Connor made a cameo appearance for James Horan’s side in the league final against Kerry but should now have returned to full fitness to lead his side in front of a fanatic home support in what will likely be a close game.  

The winners face Leitrim in a Connacht Semi-Final.