Padraic Joyce hits out at 'ridiculous' Galway criticism after Connacht final win over Mayo

Galway boss Padraic Joyce hailed goalkeeper Connor Gleeson’s nerve after he kicked a last-gasp free to snatch an unlikely victory from what had earlier looked like the jaws of defeat.

The Tribesmen showed great guts and determination to come from behind to snatch the Connacht title away from Mayo – and Joyce heaped praise on the man who booted over the winning score.

He said: “For Connor to kick a free from 45 metres and then turn around and kick the winning score was unreal.

READ MORE:Galway v Mayo score recap and result from the Connacht Football Final

“The man has got unbelievably unfair press in this county from our own people which I find ridiculous.

“Now, he had a few hairy moments in the game that I wouldn’t be happy with, but when the free was given he put his hand up and said he would take it. It was an unbelievable kick. I’m delighted for him.”

Gleeson himself admitted that kicking the winning point in a Connacht final against Mayo was the stuff of dreams.

He explained: “I just said to myself to aim for the black spot, kick through it and give myself a chance. And thank God, it went over.

“It’s something that everyone dreams of but I never thought I’d be the one kicking it. I was just delighted to get the opportunity and just relieved.”

Galway’s goalkeeper Connor Gleeson celebrates kicking the winning point with Paul Conroy
(Image: ©INPHO/James Crombie)

Mayo manager Kevin McStay was forced to replace injured captain Paddy Durcan with Eoghan McLaughlin before the game, but they were the dominant side in the opening half after opting to play against the breeze.

Galway, with just 34 per cent possession, never managed to get ahead in the opening half, twice drawing level as Mayo set the tone as they built a 0-3 to 0-1 lead.

Points from Matthew Ruane, Ryan O’Donoghue and Fergal Boland set the tone after Rob Finnerty had responded with a free for Galway after six minutes.

Damien Comer was Galway’s main threat and caused David McBrien plenty of trouble as he delivered a powerful performance that the Tribesmen missed throughout the league when he was part of a lenghty injury list.

Comer pointed and was then fouled for Finnerty to level after 18 minutes with his second free.

But then Mayo, who only converted seven of 15 chances in the opening half, hit three in a row, two of them built from deep after John Daly was blocked and then a Comer free from the left dropped short.

Mayo made them pay as Donnacha McHugh, Tommy Conroy and another free from O’Donoghue to lead by 0-6 to 0-3.

Finnerty pulled back an excellent point from play on the right and after O’Donoghue responded with a mark, Galway sprung Walsh but it was Finnerty who reduced the margin with a free after Comer was again fouled to leave it 0-7 to 0-5 at the break.

The Galway team celebrate
(Image: ©INPHO/James Crombie)

The possession stat was reversed in the opening eight minutes of the second-half as Galway, with 66 per cent possession in that spell, drew level with points from Comer and Johnny Heaney.

They should have hit the front when Maher burst through but his shot was blocked on the line by Rory Brickenden, who managed to push the ball upwards as Liam Silke raced in but goalkeeper Reape recovered and won a free out.

Galway took the lead for the first time shortly afterwards with a free from Finnerty after another foul on Comer.

But Mayo responded and picked off four in a row, two of them from placed balls from O’Donoghue, another from Ruane and one from Jordan Flynn to lead by 0-11 to 0-8 after 52 minutes.

Galway hit the next four points, two efforts from Finnerty and a free from distance by goalkeeper Gleeson tying the sides at 0-11 apiece.

Cillian O’Connor, who had been drafted off the bench along with brother Diarmuid, levelled and then Mayo pushed for home as points from Ruane and Conroy left them leading by two at the start of added time.

Galway didn’t panic. Finnerty reduced the margin with his eighth point, then Walsh pointed a free after sub Daniel O’Flaherty was fouled to level. And from the kickout, the Tribesmen crowded Conor Loftus and forced the free which Gleeson came forward to write himself into history.

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