Mayo 2-14 : Galway 1-10
Sunday 7 Feb 2010
Yes, that's a headline that makes for pleasant reading and a 7 point win was in no way flattering. It is not a typical Mayo v Galway result where the margin is rarely more than a single point in either direction but today's performance was one to savour at any time. Individual performances across the entire Mayo team were top drawer and such was the determination that this was one game we were never going to lose ...
Attendance - just under 6000
View Match Highlights on RTE Player
... slide forward to about 20 mins 30 sec for Mayo v Galway
A few things came to mind in scripting a few comments on todays match not least the fact that it was almost the complete opposite story of so many match reports from the 2009 league campaign. Last year a typical Mayo league performance would note that they didn't get into the match until the second half at which stage it was a catch-up and left us all sctratching our heads as to why they couldn't 'play' for a full 70 minutes. Well, today was different. Mayo went about their business right from the start, played flat out for the full 70 minutes and they won both halves - they won the first half by 6 points (11 points to 5) and the second half by 1 point (2-3 to 1-5).
Below is the starting lineout and one of the many statistics of the match is that 10 of that starting 15 scored on the day.
Of the forwards the only one not to register a score was Seamus O'Shea and despite that he had an outstanding game and made a major contribution, covering acres of ground around McHale Park and was a real thorn in making life difficult for the Galway midfield and defenders.
Seamus O'Shea gets a 'maith an fear' from The Bainisteoir as he comes off.
Younger brother Aidan had a frustrating afternoon on the edge of the square and was so tightly marked that he found it difficult to create any room. However, that said, it could be that Galway were paying so much attention to keeping him quiet that it may have been part of the reason that the rest of the Mayo attack had such a fruitful day. And young O'Shea was to be rewarded before the day was out as, in a peculiar kind of way, he was to benefit from the sending off of Trevor - Aidan was moved out to the half forward / centre field area and the move gave him the opportunity to get much more involved and he scored an impressive fisted point at the end of one surging run.
Mark Ronladson continued his good free taking form from the FBD (though he did balloon a couple of bad wides too!) and Enda Varley justified his selection with a solid performance and put 1-1 on the scoreboard. Andy Moran showed his versitality, put in an enormous amount of good work and scored a few wonderfully composed points. Trevor was in peak form, scored the second goal and was harshly judged in being sent off in the second half for what looked like an accidental challenge.
In the middle of the park Mayo ruled supreme, with Ronan in particular giving an exhibition of high fielding and being rewarded for this on a number of occasions with a 'mark' - one of those new rules that may or may not be kept but when a high fielder is on form, like today, no complaints.
This was one of McGarrity's better days and shows that he has the abilty and talent to be rated as one of the best in the country. Parsons, by comparison, may not have been pulling balls from the sky as the same rate but also showed enough to remind everyone of just what he is capable of at this level.
Ronan (aka 'Mark') McGarrity
Our defenders today had the opportunity to attack as well as defend and they did both with gusto. Vaughan from corner back made some brilliant surges forward and got on the scoresheet as did Peadar Gardiner. However, the accolades of the day must go to our No. 7, Kevin McLoughlin, who had an oustanding and according to many the man-of-the-match performance. He was in the thick of evertything that was good about Mayo today, winning everthing that came his way and scored a couple of terrific points as he relentlessly pushed forward in a style that we hope we will see lots more of.
Ger Cafferkey didn't have a lot to do in the first half and was only put to the test when Michael Meehan came on to beef up the Galway attack. David Clarke wasn't called into action other than the Galway goal where he was left a bit exposed by his defenders and found himself stranded too far off his goal-line.
So, yes a good day in the office but let's not get carried away. It was an untypically poor performance from Galway who were short a few big names and it is only 1 game at the beginning of another year. But it was a bigger win than anyone expected and a win against Galway at any time is good and this is one that will sit nicely in the record books !!
All over and it's handshakes all round on a job well done. Oh, and be sure they
all get a sip of whatever it is Kevin McLoughlin is drinking !!
The Ten Scorers
Enda Varley 1-1
Mark Ronaldson 4 points (all f)
Trevor Mortimer 1-0
Andy Moran 2 points
Kevin McLoughlin 2 points
Vaughan, Gardiner, Parsons, McGarrity, A O'Shea - 1 point each
And a final interesting footnote - Mayo only used 1 sub - Alan Freeman for Seamus O'Shea - which must be a record of sorts for a league match !!! With a decisive lead it would be usual to expect a few subs to get a run out as the match comes to the latter stages - so what was the thinking behind that strategy?
Other match reports...
... From WJ Green and Red Blog
... Irish Independent
.... There Is A Light ...
. David Clarke
. Ballina
Donal Vaughan Ger Cafferkey Keith Higgins
Ballinrobe Ballina Ballyhaunis
Peadar Gardiner Trevor Howley Kevin McLoughlin
Crossmolina Knockmore Knockmore
. Tom Parsons Ronan McGarrity
. Charlestown Ballina
Andy Moran Seamus O’Shea Trevor Mortimer
Ballaghaderreen Beaffy Shrule-Glencorrib
Enda Varley Aidan O’Shea Mark Ronaldson
Garrymore Breaffy Shrule-Glencorrib