Mayo look to up the performance levels after disappointing dance with the Dubs

GAA: National Football League

Mayo will be looking to get back to basics on Saturday night when Galway come calling to MacHale Park.

Last weekend's sobering defeat to Dublin was disappointing in a number of areas for Mayo - with only Rob Hennelly's performance in goal the highlight for Mayo fans - but a goalkeeper having to pull off at least half a dozen top quality saves is a worry in its own right.

There were eight points between the sides on the scoreboard - but it could and probably should have been much, much more only for the interventions of the Breaffy custodian.

Registering just three scores from play over the entirety of the contest is the most damning thing to come out of it, two of those points coming from newbies Fionn McDonagh and Matthew Ruane - with Kevin McLoughlin registering the final white flag from play late in the second half.

After a cagey opening, Dublin controlled the game for the majority of the contest, without ever reaching the top level of their own performance, something that will have had James Horan paying plenty of thought to over the the past number of days.

There were of course a few mitigating factors - Mayo lined out without both of the O'Connor brothers, lost Ger Cafferkey and Paddy Durcan to injuries before the second half started and they played over 20 minutes a man down, after both Lee Keegan and Seamus O'Shea were shown black cards. O'Shea's black card was harsh as he was adjudged to have tripped a Dublin player as he tried to manoeuvre himself to get off the deck after he fell to the ground.

But at the end of the day they were outclassed by Jim Gavin's side, who were professional throughout, if not the fully polished unit that has seen them win the last four All Ireland titles. Mayo's shooting on the night was all over the place, with just seven scores from 29 shots at the goal, kicking 14 wide, seven dropping short and another being put out for a 45.

Mayo now welcome a Galway to MacHale Park looking for their first win over the Tribesmen since 2015 under Pat Holmes and Noel Connelly - when Mayo were putting together the last one of their five Connacht titles in a row. Since then they have not been able to get one over their southern neighbours.

Galway have two wins from two in the league this year, beating Monaghan on the road in round three and Cavan at home in round one. In between those wins, Dublin eased to a victory in Croke Park - while last weekend Kerry were put to the pin of their collar by the Tribesmen in Tuam.

A game against Galway is never going to be easy, but Mayo could do with picking up a victory in this one before they face into a tough trip to Tralee in two weeks time, after which they will be welcoming Monaghan to MacHale Park to round out the league season on March 24.

 

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