It's a day to remember for Galway football supporters, but one likely never to be forgotten for unlikely match-winner Connor Gleeson.
With 70 minutes on the clock at Pearse Stadium, Mayo looked set to derail the Tribesmen’ three-in-a-row provincial bid, leading by two points playing with the breeze at their backs.
A Rob Finnerty free reduced the gap to the bare minimum and Gleeson’s decision to push up into Mayo territory again for the kick-out was richly rewarded when he broke Colm Reape’s restart, allowing Galway regather possession and equalise with a Shane Walsh free.
Six minutes into the red, Galway were awarded a free just outside the 45 and the Dunmore MacHales man was summoned forward.
Selector John Concannon instructed Gleeson midweek to maintain his free-taking practice, and he duly delivered to the delight of the majority of the crowd in Salthill.
Full-time: Galway 0-16 Mayo 0-15
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 5, 2024
Goalkeeper Connor Gleeson wins a third Connacht SFC title in a row for Galway with a 76th-minute free
📺 Watch on @RTE2 and @RTEplayer
📻 Listen on @RTERadio1
📱 Live updates https://t.co/tgHPXffgo1#GAA #TheSundayGame pic.twitter.com/J6FJRA48Ax
"It's mad," he told RTÉ Sport afterwards. "It’s something everyone dreams of, but I never thought I’d be the one kicking it. I was delighted to get the opportunity and was just relieved it went over.
"It was a free shot in my eyes. The game was level, so I said, 'If we miss it, we go again’. If we were a point down, that’s a different story in my head maybe."
Kicking into what breeze was blowing on a relatively calm day at Pease Stadium, he stayed true to his technique, kicking straight and true rather than looking to curl over from distance.
"I said I’d strike through it, give myself a chance. With my kicking, the more I try and force it, the less accurate I am."
Was he certain it was on target from the moment it left the ground?
"No, I was holding on. I didn’t turn around until I saw it over [the bar]."
