Kilmeena started the livelier and opened their account for the day with a point from play in the opening thirty seconds of the half. The Gaels fought hard to get their first score on the board and after a Kilmeena pass was intercepted, Niall Brett steadied himself and slotted over a well taken point from play. The Gaels continued to power on, and Danny Burke stepped up to convert the Gaels’ second point of the day after a foul on Neil McGurrin. Kilmeena won possession at centre field, and sailed through the heart of the Gaels defence to slot the ball between the uprights and to leave the sides level. From this point onwards, the Gaels dominated the game. Adam Gallagher opened his account for the day with a great point from play. A fighting performance from Martin Connor, saw his pass find the waiting Danny Burke, who’s off lay to young Adam Gallagher saw him effortlessly blast the ball to the top right corner pulling the Gaels four points clear. The Gaels conquered on in search of a greater lead. Danny Burke was the first to provide it, with a point from play on the 15th minute of the half. Great team work between the lively Adam Gallagher and Kevin Lynch saw them combine to produce a point form play courtesy of skill full Lynch. The Gaels were now at the top of their game and playing well as a team. The expert collaboration between Danny Burke and Adam Gallagher, saw Gallagher blast the ball to the back of the net for the second occasion, and had the crowd on their feet. Kevin Lynch got the last shout in of the first half with a point from play on the 29th minute, to leave a half time score line of Mayo Gaels 2-6 Kilmeena 0-2.
The second half saw the Gaels get on top early on, and a point from Adam Gallagher was the beginning of this. Kilmeena were in search of narrowing the gap and notched up four unanswered points in less then 10 minutes. The Gaels soon replied, and it was the left footed free courtesy of Mally Byrne that got the Gaels back on form. A great score from Kevin Lynch put the Gaels seven points clear. Kilmeena responded with a further two points and Adam Gallagher closed of the Gaels account with a point from play. Kilmeena added 1-1 to their tally in the closing minutes, but it was all over at that stage and saw the game finish on a final score line of Mayo Gaels 2-10 Kilmeena 1-9.
The Gaels put in an all round solid performance with Adam Gallagher, Martin Connor and Danny Burke in particular shining for the side. The Gaels retain their Intermediate status for another year, and puts them in a great position ahead of their next championship date with Belmullet in August.
Mayo Gaels Team: Paul Mannion, Allyn Brett, Anothony Byrne, Kevin Brett, Noel Quinn, Adrian Heneghan, Martin Connor, Johnny Morrin, Paul Walsh, Shane Vahey, Adam Gallagher (2-3), Danny Burke (0-2, 1f), Niall Brett (0-1), Kevin Lynch (0-3), Neil McGurrin. Subs: Mally Byrne (0-1, 1f) for Neil McGurrin and Johnny Griffin for Shane Vahey.
