John Gallagher thought he had secured a famous victory for the Gaels from Mayo Abbey when he finished the ball to the back of the net three minutes into injury time of this Connacht Intermediate Football Championship Semi-Final.
But the South Mayo side's joy was short-lived as, after consulting with his umpires, referee Ronan Hynes disallowed the goal and sent this clash in a misty Pearse Stadium into extra time.
The Gaels played with the aid of the breeze in the first half and despite landing eight scores to their opponents three, they only led by a single point at the turnaround on a score of 0-8 to 2-1.
The Gaels stormed into the lead with Sean Keane (2 ), Adam Gallagher and Ethan Henry all raising white flags in the opening exchanges. But a goal from Oisín MacDonnacha just before the first water break gave the Galway side plenty to build on.
They hit their second goal of the day not long after the water break when Matais Bairéad found the back of Paul Mannion’s net after some fine build-up play involving the impressive Warren Seoige.
But with the wind at their back, the Gaels blew back into contention, with John Gallagher kicking a brace and points from Kevin Lynch – a wonderful effort and another from Gallagher had them leading 0-8 to 2-0 with 26 minutes gone. The Galway champions did pull one back through Seoige just before the break to leave it at just a single point game.
The third quarter was all about the Gaels as they stretched their lead out in impressive fashion with John Gallagher, Ethan Henry and James Jennings all kicking points, as they kept their opponents scoreless in the third quarter.
But this game was far from done as a dogged Naomh Anna side led by the inspirational Eamonn O’Loinsigh flew back into the game.
Iarla Ó’Curraion, Seoige and O’Loinsigh all pointed while, Ferdia Breathach caused havoc after coming off the bench. They were reduced to 14 when Evan Ó’Flatharta was shown a second yellow card, but that didn’t stop their drive and determination.
The game did look to swing in the favour of the Mayo men when Jack Fallon netted after being brilliantly found by a disguised pass from Gerry Canvan, not long after he entered the fray.
That goal put his side 1-11 to 2-4 up with eight minutes left on the clock – but the Galway men kept their heads and chipped away on the scoreboard.
Breathnach kicked two from frees and then O’Loinsigh kicked two fanastic scores from play to pull the game level with time almost up – but there was still time for Gallagher’s late goal to be disallowed and send the game to extra time.
Ciarán Bairéad got the first score of extra time with a point and Ó’Loinsigh then rattled the back of the net for Naomh Anna’s third goal – which proved to be the decisive score of the day.
He added on a few more points before the end of the game as Mayo Gaels tried valiantly to get back into it, but they were always kept at arm’s length by the Galway champions over the closing stages of the game as they ran out 3-12 to 1-14.
Mayo Gaels: Paul Mannion; Fergal Owens, Luke Gallagher, Bryan Morrin; Liam Hughes, Tommy Keane, Sean Keane (0-2 ); Jack Fallon (1-0 ), Fintan Canavan; Kevin Lynch (0-1 ), Ethan Henry (0-3, 2 45' ), Adam Gallagher (0-2 ); Alan Brennan, John Gallagher (0-5, 2f ), James Jennings (0-1 ). Subs: Ronan Commons, Gerry Canavan, Keegan McNamara, Alan Morris, Daniel Burke, Kevin Lynch.
Naomh Anna: Eoin Ó’Curraoin; Colm MacDonnacha, Séan Andy Ó’Ceallaigh, Eoin MacDonnacha; Ciarán Bairéad (0-1 ), Chris Seoighe, Evan Ó’Flatharta; Oisín MacDonnacha (1-0 ), Eammon Ó’Loinsigh (1-5 ); Warren Seoige (0-2 ), Matias Bairéad (1-0 ), Padraig S Ó’Ceallaigh; Iarla Ó'Curraoin (0-1 ) Dylan Seoige, Liam O’Maille. Subs: Ferdia Breathnach (0-2, 2f ), Myles Mac Donnacha, Aonghus O'Fatharta, Eoin Ó'Fatharta (0-1 ), Darren Seoige.
Ref: Ronan Hynes
