Mayo 1-14
NUI Galway 0-11

Mayo retained their FBD Connacht League crown with a convincing victory over NUI Galway at McHale Park in Castlebar on Friday night.

Aidan Kilcoyne's 47th minute goal proved the decisive score, pushing Mayo five points clear and James Horan's side never looked in doubt thereafter.

He was picked out by midfielder Jason Gibbons following a surging run, and fired past Nathan King.

The college outfit had started well, with Mayo and Sligo stars Peadar Gardiner and Stephen Gilmartin among the scorers as they opened up a five-point lead.

But Mark Ronaldson and Kilcoyne led the Mayo recovery and the sides went in tied at 0-7 apiece at the interval.

Against it was Ronaldson and Kilcoyne who edged Mayo in front on the restart, and when the latter found the net there was no way back for NUIG.

Captain Andy Moran and Andrew Farrell got amongst the scores before the finish as Mayo closed out a six-point victory as an ideal preparation for next week's Allianz National Football League clash with Kerry.

Mayo: R Hennelly; C Hallinan, D Killeen, C Barrett; L Keegan, K Higgins, R O'Connor; B Moran, T Parsons; A Campbell (0-1), A Moran (0-2), A Farrell (0-1); E Varley (0-1), A Kilcoyne (1-3, 1 '45, 1 free), M Ronaldson (0-6, 4 frees). Subs: C Freeman for Varley, J Burke for Hallinan, A Feeney for O'Connor, R Feeney for Keegan.

NUI: N King; C McDonald, K O'Connor, R Rochford; P Gardiner (0-2), C Conroy, J Moore; S Gilmartin (0-1), D Coroon (0-1); M McHugh, A Dillon, A Mullin (0-1); N Douglas, G Higgins, J Doherty (0-6, all frees). Subs: S McHale for O'Connor, F Deasmhunhaigh for McHugh, K Conlan for Higgins, K Conlon for Conroy, G McDonagh for Mullin.

Referee: O. Kelly (Roscommon). Tweet

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