Mayo’s U20 footballers made it two wins from two in this year’s Connacht Championship at Tuam this evening. Galway had the upper hand for a fair while in this evening’s game but Peadar Gardiner’s team came with a late surge, prevailing by 2-18 to 3-13.
I was out and about myself this evening so wasn’t following the match while it was on, though I will be watching it back on YouTube. By the sounds of it, it was a cracking contest, with the lead changing hands at regular intervals over the hour.
We were to the fore early on but they hit the front when they scored the game’s opening goal midway through the first half. Our lads came back into it after that with five points without reply. Then Josh Carey bagged a goal for us and our lead was out to four points before they cut it back to two at the break thanks to a converted two-point free.
We extended the lead back out to four points on the resumption, Niall Hurley bagging a two-pointer from our first attack of the half. After two exchanges of score, Tom Lydon getting both of ours (the first from a free), Galway then racked up 1-4 without reply to establish a three-point lead as the game went into the final quarter.
Our lads drew level thanks to a point from Niall Hurley followed by a two-pointer from a free by Tom Lydon. They were back three in front soon after, though, when they broke through for a third goal.
That, however, was all the scoring they did before the finish. We cancelled out their goal when Tom Lydon shot to the net from the penalty spot and then Darragh Beirne sealed the win with a two-pointer.
Next up for the U20s is a Round 3 match against Leitrim back at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park next Wednesday.
Mayo: Conor Meaney; Rio Mortimer, Paul Gilmore (0-1), Eoin McGreal; Hugh O’Loughlin, John MacMonagle, Colm McHale; Oliver Armstrong, Seamus Howard; Cathal Keaveney, Niall Hurley (0-4, one 2pt), Oisín Cronin (0-1); Josh Carey (1-1), Luke Feeney, Tom Lydon (1-9, penalty goal, five frees, one 2pt free). Subs: Dara Neary for Keaveney, Diarmuid Duffy for McHale, Darragh Beirne (0-2, 2pt) for Carey, Colm Lynch for Feeney.
Our Final Whistle pod from Tuam is up now on Patreon. Rob chats with Nigel Reape about the game and there’s also post-match reaction from Mayo U20 manager Peadar Gardiner. More details on the pod here.
to win just once says:
March 26, 2025 at 11:39 pm
Another really enjoyable u 20 game. New rules bringing out the best in teams. I would think both Mayo and Galway are good teams and I would expect to see them play one another again. Some great high fielding, movement and scores from both teams. Always nice to beat Galway in Tuam and for a brief moment at the end I thought it was PJ who came on to berate the referee.
Hop it Ref! says:
March 27, 2025 at 3:12 am
Watched the last 20 minutes. It’s a huge contrast to the football the u20 team were playing a few years ago. It’s probably a combination of the new rules and a go for it attitude. I’d say it’s a lot more fun to play too!!
mayotillidie says:
March 27, 2025 at 8:49 am
great result, but need to tighten up defensively. But hard to be picky, when you beat old enemy
Thedarkyfinn says:
March 27, 2025 at 11:50 am
Great result and not a bad game at all but there is plenty to work on. Huge improvement on recent years
JP says:
March 27, 2025 at 12:35 pm
That match would have been a you attack we defend, we attack you defend unwatchable borefest last year under the old rules.
Mayomagic says:
March 27, 2025 at 12:42 pm
Good game got that little bit of luck to get over the line. Last play of the game was a foul a free in for Galway and attempt to level the game rare to see a ref blow for full time instead. Galway players and Derek Savage in the refs face at full time.
Some Galway heads thought Mayo penalty was soft but it was a clear penalty. Some score by Beirne to win the match when you have him Hurley and Lydon starting together it's hard to see Mayo not winning a first Connacht title at this grade for 7 years
Defensively still improving to do the 1st and 2nd goals conceded was so preventable.
whitey says:
March 27, 2025 at 12:56 pm
That was as clear cut a penalty as you’d ever see
Regarding the last passage of play-(1) Galway player possibly overcarried (2) ref looked like he was going to blow for full time just as the Mayo tackles went in