Darren Coen hits 0-7 as Mayo retain crown

Mayo 1-11

Galway 0-12

MAYO junior footballers retained their Connaught championship title following a hard-fought victory over a good Galway side in Páirc Séan Mac Diarmada, Carrick-on-Shannon today, writes Aiden Henry.

As it was in the 2015 final between these two teams, which was also at the same venue, it was very close throughout with the final result very much in doubt right up to the final whistle.

However, when the game was there to be won by either side it was Mayo who put in the strong finish where they scored the final three points of the game to carve out a great victory.

The Mayo defense put in a great shift from start to finish as they kept tabs on an exceptional strong Galway forward line for much of the game.

However, it was the brilliant place-kicking by Darren Coen and a magnificent goal by Ronan Mallee which did most to stop Galway from taking Mayo's title away.

Mayo: S. Nallen (Belmullet), E. O'Donoghue (Belmullet), N. Freeman (Aghamore), S. Gaughan (Belmullet), C. Reape (Knockmore), P. Feerick (Hollymount/Carramore), J. Kelly (Belmullet), P. Collins (Islandeady), G. Keane (Westport, 0-1), M. Togher (Belmullet), M. Forde (Ballycastle, 0-1), S. Kelly (Moy Davitts), R. Malee (Kiltimagh, 1-1), A. Farrell (Killala, 0-1), D. Coen (Hollymount/Carramore, 0-7).

Subs used: K. Gibbons (Louisburgh), A. Gallagher (Mayo Gaels), R. Holian (The Neale), T. Carmody (Ballaghaderreen).

Galway: B. Power (0-1), C. Reilly, T. Comer, A. Claffey, W. Finnerty, A. Kyne, D. Wynne, A. Molloy, P. Walsh, F. Cooney, M. Reddington (0-4), S. Kelly (0-1), E. Lee (0-1), A. ÓLaoi (0-4), N. Lee.

Subs used: L. Ceallaigh, A. Ó hIarnáin.

Referee: B. Judge (Sligo).