GMIT fall to second half rally from Mayo

Mayo 2-8GMIT 1-5

Jason Byrne

GMIT failed their first test in the FBD League against Mayo in a dull affair at McHale Park in on Saturday night.

In constant rainfall, this was the first match to be played under lights at the Castlebar venue as James Horan took charge of his first competitive game for Mayo. The first half was highly forgettable, with both sides failing to find any rhythm and struggling to play football in the damp conditions.

However, GMIT took the initiative with Stephen Griffin tapping over a free. Seconds later, Mayo were dealt an early blow when Kevin Dolan suffered a broken jaw in an accidental clash with Aenghus Tierney.Mayo failed to impress, as another Griffin free dropped short and was palmed out by David Clarke – right into the path of Eric Monahan who tapped into the net for the Galway students to shock the hosts.With the first quarter already elapsed, Mayo finally raised the white flag three times in succession – all from the boot of impressive debutant Cillian O’Connor from frees.

The 1,500 or so who turned up to get a glimpse of the much changed and inexperienced Mayo side were bound to have been unimpressed at the interval – as their side kicked eight wides, trailed by a point and did not score a single point from play.

An improvement, although not vast, did occur after  the break; particularly with  the introduction of  Mark Ronaldson in the half-forward line. O’Connor dispatched his fourth free before Ronan McGarrity scored a point of real quality from an acute angle on the right to give Mayo the lead for the first time.

Griffin replied with another free for the men in maroon but his kicking from set-pieces looked to be GMIT’s only option in terms of scoring as Mayo began to get comfortable in defence, with debutant Cathal Hallinan particularly impressing.

Mayo began enjoying the lion’s share of possession and were rewarded with a goal when former GMIT ace Aidan Campbell burst through on the right and squared for O’Connor with no doubt about the finish.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.