Benson’s goal settles champions

Benson’s goal settles champions

Semi-Final

Mayo 1-13

Galway 0-9

Mike Finnerty

Galway

IF Mayo go on to retain their provincial and All-Ireland U-21 titles there seems little doubt that they will reflect on last Saturday’s semi-final at Pearse Stadium as the one they got away with.

It was always likely that this first defence of their crowns would prove a treacherous exercise and Galway did not disappoint in their role of pretenders to the throne. Unfortunately for Stephen Joyce’s team they didn’t possess the quality in the key positions to turn Mayo over and an impressive finish saw the champions close the game out clinically.

The match effectively turned on two goal chances, one that was taken by Mayo in the 32nd minute and the other that was spurned by Galway in the 45th.

There was never going to be much between the two super-powers and so it proved with a Pierce Hanley free in the 26th minute edging Mayo into a 0-5 to 0-4 lead.

The game-breaking moment was only minutes away and it came when a long ball was  misjudged by Galway’s over-worked full-back line and Hanley turned provider for Mayo substitute, Brian Benson.

The Crossmolina forward had only been on the field for nine minutes but he showed excellent composure to go around the goalkeeper and chip the ball to the empty net.

That was the score that opened up some daylight between the teams for the first time and Mayo were never likely to surrender their advantage. However, Galway’s gilt-edged chance to rattle the champion’s cage came just on the three-quarter mark and will belong forever in the realm of ifs, buts and maybes.

Another substitute, Mark Gottsche, was the player that beat Mayo ‘keeper, Kenneth O’Malley, to the punch but he could only watch and gasp as the ball came back off the crossbar and bounced away to safety. Had Gottsche’s flick gone in the sides would have been level. Instead Mayo, buoyed up by that let-off,  kicked for home and reeled off three points without reply from Aidan Campbell (2) and Adrian McManamon to ease six clear (1-9 to 0-6).

There were only 12 minutes left and Galway looked a spent force. Barry Moran and Tom Parsons had wrestled complete control of the sky at midfield while Ger Cafferkey and Tom Cunniffe were masters of all they surveyed at the heart of Mayo’s defence. However, Galway managed to summon one last charge and three converted frees from Greg Rogan in the space of five minutes left just four points between the teams.

Galway were hanging onto Mayo’s coat-tails for all they were worth but the holders always seemed to have an extra gear. This was illustrated graphically in the last five minutes as Barry Moran and Tom Parsons upped the ante and Mayo’s exciting attack clicked to devastating effect. Four points from play were fashioned in the space of as many minutes with Parsons, Benson, McManamon and Mark Ronaldson, a captain who led by example, all hitting the target to close the game out.

There was no disputing that Mayo were full value for their seven-point win but the feeling remains that the best is yet to come from this well-drilled and mature bunch. They are also physically imposing in the pivotal positions with Ger Cafferkey, Tom Cunniffe, Barry Moran, Tom Parsons, Adrian McManamon and Pierce Hanley unlikely to be pushed around at this grade.

The opening half last weekend will probably give Pat Holmes, Noel Connelly and Michéal Collins most to work on this week. Galway caused the winners’ defence plenty of problems early on with their direct style and pace, and Greg Rogan and Cathal Kenny were quite a handful early on.

The teams were level on four occasions in the first period with Eddie Hoare, Rogan, Kenny and Eoin Concannon all nicking points for Galway that were cancelled out by scores from Pierce Hanley (2), Aidan Campbell and the spring-heeled Mark Ronaldson.

Hanley, who faded out of the match after the break, remains a precocious talent while his brother, Andy, was a constant source of inspiration and perspiration in the roving role.

Roscommon will ask more difficult questions of the defending champions next Saturday but this Mayo team look like they mean business and seem to have the personnel to make some history. This was a step in the right direction.

Mayo

K O’Malley; A Joyce, G Cafferkey, D Kilcullen; C Barrett, T Cunniffe, C Boyle; B Moran, T Parsons (0-1); A Campbell (0-4, 2fs), A McManamon (0-2), A Hanley; E Varley, M Ronaldson (0-2), P Hanley (0-3, 2fs). Sub used: B Benson (1-1) for Varley;

A Faherty; A Glynn, P Gleeson, D Finnegan; G Bradshaw, G Higgins, C Bane; S Mannion, E Hoare (0-1); G O’Donnell, E Concannon (0-1), F Breathnach; G Rogan (0-4, 3fs), C Kenny (0-3), F Burke. Subs used: M Gottsche for Burke; D Reilly for O’Donnell; F Burke for Reilly.

Referee: O Kelly (Roscommon)