TRIBE STORM MAYO CASTLE

Galway down to 12 PLAYERS in wild west but still hold on for victory against weakened Mayo

TWO teams of western warriors made light of the stormy conditions to serve up a cracking FBD Connacht League battle in Castlebar last night.

And when the final whistle eventually sounded after an energy-sapping contest, it was the 12 men of Galway who were standing tallest.

The Tribesmen had three men sent off during an amazing second half but they held a makeshift Mayo side scoreless for 35 minutes to carve out a narrow, gritty win.

Boss Kevin Walsh saw substitute Damien Comer and defenders Seán Mulkerrins and Seán Andy Ó Ceallaigh all dismissed by referee Paddy Neilan in the final quarter.

Mayo manager Stephen Rochford ran his bench in the closing stages but against the gale-force wind and driving rain, all they could manage was a last-gasp free from Brian Reape as Galway battened down the hatches.

Mayo rookie Peter Naughton hit the net four minutes into the second half to push the homeside 1-8 to 0-6 up against the elements.

But that was as good as it got for the home supporters in the crowd of 2,679.

Galway had trailed at halftime by two points, but they produced a big third quarter with Galway Utd star Padraic Cunningham landing a couple of brilliant scores.

The game turned though on a deflected goal from Patrick Sweeney that levelled the scores (1-8 apiece) on 50 minutes.

Points from

Barry Mchugh

( free) and sub’

Damien Comer then edged the Tribesmen ahead.

They managed to keep Mayo at bay in the final 25 minutes despite losing Comer, Mulkerrins and Ó Ceallaigh at various stages.

Despite shooting six wides, Mayo led at half-time by 0-8 to 0-6 after playing with the aid of the substantial wind and rain in the opening period.