History was made by the all-conquering Galway footballers as they secured a four-in-a-row of Connacht senior championships for the first time since the famous 1963-1966 era after a dramatic final in Castlebar.
Padraic Joyce's team looked set to power to an expected victory when they led by eight points at half-time, but wind-assisted Mayo came roaring back in the second-half to draw level with 20 minutes remaining.
However, Kevin McStay's side — who were chasing a first Nestor Cup success since 2021 — missed a string of opportunities to go ahead, including long-range efforts from Paul Towey and Jordan Flynn, and an Enda Hession goal chance that was saved by Connor Gleeson.
That meant that the sides were still level with ten minutes remaining, and Galway found their groove in the closing stages to land the match-winning scores from the outstanding Paul Conroy and substitute Liam Ó Conghaile to spark great celebrations among their supporters in the crowd of 27,137.
Mayo did try to manufacture one chance to kick an equalising two-pointer after the hooter had sounded, but Matthew Ruane's effort drifted wide to consign his side to a second decider defeat in a row.
The homeside’s cause wasn’t helped either by a black card for Rory Brickenden in the 61st minute after a short kick-out from Colm Reape was intercepted by Rob Finnerty, and the Mayo defender was forced to drag him down.
Galway also finished the game with 14 men after a black card for Matthew Tierney in the dying moments, but that came too late to effect the final outcome.The champions had played with the aid of a gale-force breeze in the first half and deservedly led by 1-11 to 1-03 at the interval.
Mayo had come flying out of the blocks and a goal from Darren McHale in the seventh minute propelled the rank outsiders in front by 1-2 to 0-2. But that turned out to be as good as it got for the hom eside during that opening half as Galway upped the ante to take the initiative all over the field.
Their substantial half-time lead was built on the platform of dominating midfield during an extremely impressive second quarter where they outscored Mayo by 1-09 to 0-01.
Footballer of the Year Paul Conroy was a central figure in Galway’s first-half blitz, shooting three superb two-pointers (one from a free) with Matthew Tierney, Cillian McDaid, Seán Kelly and Rob Finnerty all raising white flags. Galway’s goal came from a Matthew Tierney penalty on 27 minutes and put them firmly in the driving seat, leading by eight points.
Having trailed by 8 points at the break, Mayo are level and maybe should be in front after a very tight call on a two-pointer.
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 4, 2025
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With Colm Reape’s kick-outs hanging up against the wind, Galway’s John Maher, Paul Conroy, Cein Darcy and Cillian McDaid began to exert a major influence and the scores followed as a consequence.
Mayo, who had won the toss and had elected to play against the breeze, came out for the second half with all guns blazing and were back on level terms by the end of the third quarter.
A massive two-point effort from Ryan O’Donoghue kickstarted their comeback while another from Matthew Ruane continued the revival. Three further scores without reply from Ryan O’Donoghue (2) and Darren McHale closed the gap to the bare minimum after 46 minutes and the tension was palpable all around the stadium.
Galway then lifted the siege after a lung-bursting run from Cillian McDaid led to a free from Robert Finnerty, but Mayo’s forward momentum continued and scores from the industrious Davitt Neary and O’Donoghue (free) tied things up for the first time on 52 minutes.
Galway's Paul Conroy is the man-of-the-match and while his side are Connacht champions for the fourth consecutive season, it's not something he ever takes for granted. #RTEGAA #TheSundayGame pic.twitter.com/2D7aZiX7Yf
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 4, 2025
It was at this stage that Mayo missed a number of chances to go ahead for the first time since the fifth minute and Galway responded to these let-offs with a brilliant point from the impressive Cillian McDaid to take the initiative. From there to the end it was anybody’s game, but Galway made the most of the chances they created down the home stretch to keep a tight grip on the Nestor Cup.
Padraic Joyce’s men will now welcome Dublin to Salthill in the first game of the group stages of the All-Ireland series while Mayo will be at home to Cavan.
Mayo: C Reape (0-1, '45); J Coyne, D McHugh, E Hession; R Brickenden, D McBrien, S Coen; D O’Connor, M Ruane (0-2, 1tp); D Neary (0-1), D McHale (1-2), J Flynn; A O’Shea, J Carney, R O’Donoghue (0-9, 1tp, 6fs).Subs used: S Callinan for McBrien (9, inj); P Towey for O’Connor (HT); F Boland for Neary (60); F Kelly for McHale (66).
Galway: C Gleeson; J McGrath, S Fitzgerald, J Glynn; D McHugh, S Mulkerrin, L Silke; P Conroy (0-7, 2tp, 1tpf), S Kelly (0-1); C Darcy, J Maher, C McDaid (0-2); M Tierney (1-2, 1-0 pen), R Finnerty (0-4, 3fs), M Thompson.Subs used: C Sweeney for Maher (HT); K Molloy for Fitzgerald (41); C Hernon for Mulkerrin (48); P Cooke for Sweeney (61); L Ó Conghaile (0-1) for Thompson (66).
Referee: P Neilan (Roscommon)
