PREVIEW: Sylane look set to take care of Mayo champions

After being relegated from the intermediate ranks in 2025, the north Galway club have embraced the challenge of trying to get back up, putting in a perfect 15 wins from 15 to win two trophies.

They came from behind to surprise Pádraig Pearses in the Division 3 Final in June. And then seven games undefeated culminated in knockout wins over Salthill-Knocknacarra, Ballinasloe and Abbeyknockmoy to claim Galway Premier Junior honours and the Phelim Murphy Cup.

That 1-17 to 0-18 final victory over Abbeyknockmoy two weeks ago was decided by Keelan Creaven’s goal but he is a major doubt with a groin injury. Otherwise, manager Ronan Higgins should have a full deck.

Jake Hogan in goal has experienced defenders including Tom Kenny, who played an All-Ireland intermediate semi-final with Pearses in 2011. Adrian Lardner and Brian Igoe are either side of him with Stephen Burke, captain Oran Martin and Oran Burke in the half back line.

Paul Ronan and Emmet Sweeney are the midfield unit while Sean Newell (2-25 in their last three games) leads an attack that includes Creaven (2-4), Ryan and Tomás Keane, John Igoe and Shane Glynn. Darragh Mahon, Ciaran Fleming, Cathal Burke and Ross Monaghan are the main impact options.

The black and amber will enter as strong favourites having never lost a Connacht championship match. Direct routes to the final saw them beat Athleague (2007) and Calry St. Joseph’s twice (2015 and 2017).

This is the first time they’ve faced Mayo opposition. And while Moytura’s first venture into Connacht action saw them go down by 11 points to Ballinasloe last year, they have improved significantly during 2026.

Kilnadeema-Leitrim native and Mayo manager Ray Larkin, who led Tooreen to four Connacht intermediate titles and an All-Ireland Final appearance last January, is in charge along with Keith Gibbons, who lined out for Moytura in this fixture 12 months ago.

They beat Castlebar Mitchels, Westport and Ballyvary before going down to Tooreen in the Junior A Final. But the addition of a Premier junior hurling competition in Mayo has strengthened their hand.

Caiseal Gaels (3-11 to 2-9) fell at the semi-final stage before Moytura beat Claremorris (1-15 to 1-11) in the decider. Liam Mulally, whose converted from full back to full forward, got the crucial goal.

Mayo senior Brendan Sheridan leads an attack that includes Evan Heraty, Brian Collins, Mulally, Conor Doyle and Thomas Holleran. Two more county players John Heraty and under-20 Ruairi Gilvarry form the midfield alliance.

Keeper Gary Hopkins has Ger Lynagh, Conor O’Malley, Brian Mullins, Ryan Kelly, Finn O’Loughlin and Michael McDonnell in defence. Patrick Burke is their top option from the bench.

The Moytura club cover most of south east Mayo, incorporating eight football parishes including Galway’s Clonbur. Like their opponents, they operate in a non-traditional hurling environment and will feel better prepared this season.

Centre back Martin against Sheridan could be the stand out battle. Evan Heraty and Tomás Keane are both capable of landing massive scores for their respective teams. Newell is the main focal point for Sylane, and mixes scores equally between frees and play.

While the Mayo side should make this a competitive contest, Sylane have been operating at a different level even if they dipped to Galway hurling's third tier. And in Lardner, Stephen and Cathal Burke, Martin, Ryan Keane, Glynn and Monaghan, they have experience from 2017.

This is a first semi-final for Sylane, but they know the road to the national series. Three times they fell short of reaching Croke Park. And while nobody inside the group will be thinking about that, a final against Sligo’s Naomh Eoin or Leitrim’s Carrick should await the following week.

Verdict: Sylane