Mayo fail in bid to retain Under 20 crown

MAYO failed to retain their Connaught Under 20 title after losing to Galway in this year's decider played in Tuam Stadium tonight (Wednesday).

Mayo lost this final in the opening half. Although having to play into a strong breeze, they failed to take many of their good scoring chances and gave the ball away needlessly on numerous occasions. While up at the other end of the field, Galway were making the most out the Mayo mistakes by kicking 10 points. This gave them an interval lead of six points - 0-10 to 0-4.

Within five minutes of the resumption the Galway lead had increased to nine points, which left Mayo with a mountain to climb. While Mayo continued to battle hard where Evan O'Brien, Tommy Conroy and Paul Towey kicked some brilliant points, the goal they needed to get back into the game never arrived and Galway hung on for a deserved victory.

Final score: Galway 0-16, Mayo 0-10.

Scorers for Galway: D. Silke (0-5), L. Costello (0-4), P. Costello (0-3), R. Cunningham (0-2), C. Newell (0-1), M. Tierney (0-1).

Scorers for Mayo: E. O'Brien (0-4), P. Towey (0-3), T. Conroy (0-3).

Galway: O. Burke, R. Mahon, S. Mulkerrin, E. McFadden, L. Boyle, C. Potter, J. Kirrane, M. Barrett, E. Mannion, M. Tierney, G. Burke, B. O'Connell, D. Silke, P. Costello, R. Cunningham.

Subs used: J. Glynn, C. Newell, M. Culhane, E. Mannion, B. Harlowe, M. O'Brien.

Mayo: J. McNicholas, J. Coyne, R. Brickenden, O. Mullin, A. McDonnell, C. Beirne, E. McLoughlin, E. O'Brien, G. Durcan, J. Gallagher, P. Towey, P. Goldrick, A. Orme, S. McGreal, T. Conroy.

Subs used: N. Moran, D. McBrien, K. Callaghan, D. Gannon, C. Gavin.

Referee: J. Neilan (Roscommon).