Galway cemented their place at the top of Division One as they continued their flawless start to the Allianz Football League campaign with victory over Mayo last Sunday.
Padraig Joyce's side ran out comfortable winners over Mayo at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park in Castlebar on Sunday afternoon by a score of 0-26 to 0-16. It was the Tribesmen's biggest victory over their neighbours in more than 40 years.
Shane Walsh put in a man-of-the-match display last weekend. The forward scored nine points with four of those being two-pointers as the new 40m arc enhancement showcased his shooting prowess. Cillian Ó'Curraoin also impressed as he shot three two-point frees that kept their opposition at arm's length.
Galway showed durability in the Mayo clash, as they were down 0-9 to 0-8 at the interval before outscoring their opponents 0-18 to 0-9 in the second-half. Joyce will be hoping for similar long-range shooting display as his side amassed seven two-pointers in total.
Mayo twice recovered from four-point deficits in the first-half. The game started with a '45' from Conor Gleeson and a Paul Conroy effort which edged Galway ahead for the first time.
Conor Reid levelled for Mayo before Galway responded with a string of points from Sean Kelly, Shane Walsh and Dylan McHugh to ease the Tribesmen back in front. Colm Reape saved a clear goal chance from Kelly, but Conroy extended the lead by putting up his second score of the day.
Mayo rallied with points from Frank Irwin, Paul Towey and Conor Reid. Towey then shot his side's first two-point score to level the game at 0-7 apiece. Donnachadh McHugh put his side ahead before Kelly replied at the other end, but Towey clipped another effort just before half-time to send Mayo in with a narrow advantage at the interval.
The second-half was a different story, with Galway showing their long-range scoring capabilities.
Shane Walsh pushed Galway ahead with a long-range two-pointer and Ó’Curraoin also raised a white flag before his two-point free extended Galway's advantage. Davitt Neary responded for Mayo, but the irrepressible Walsh scored another long-range two-pointer to leave the visitors ahead by 0-15 to 0-10.
Walsh repeated the feat in the 49th minute to leave seven points between the sides, and Galway landed nine more points before the end as Galway ran out comfortable victors.
Galway are now top of Division One. Next up is a trip to Celtic Park to take on Derry on Saturday, February 15.
