Galway vs Mayo Preview
Galway vs Mayo is one of the all-time great GAA rivalries. They will meet again in the Connacht Senior Football Final on Sunday, May 5th 2024 at 4:00 pm in Pearse Stadium. The winner will secure regional bragging rights again. It will also give them momentum ahead of their All-Ireland campaign.
Mayo is entering this game in excellent form after a five-point win over Roscommon in the semi-final. They put on an impressive display against the Rossies, with Aidan O’Shea scoring an early goal. However, Roscommon valiantly brought the scoreline back to within a point at halftime. Mayo changed gears in the second half and surged ahead. They were prolific from a distance and Roscommon couldn’t get back into the game.
It was a different story for Galway, who endured a massive scare against Sligo. They trailed against The Magpies for 71 minutes until Robert Finnerty’s late goal sealed a one-point win. The Tribesmen made their ninth consecutive Connacht Final, but it was unconvincing. They can’t afford to perform this way against Mayo, who enters this clash as favourites.
Galway vs Mayo Head-to-Head and Key Stats
Galway and Mayo have played each other so many times. They’re GAA powerhouses and this remains one of Gaelic football’s most interesting match-ups. The counties have met in the Championship for the past 12 years, with Mayo winning eight matches. They’ve also clashed in five Connacht Finals since 2008 with Mayo emerging as victor in the past four games.
This is a very competitive fixture and fans rarely see blowout wins. Almost all their games since 2016 ended with a three-point or less winning margin. The exception was the 2021 Connacht Final. Mayo ran away with this game when they won by six points in Dublin.
Mayo and Galway’s last meeting was in 2023 in the All-Ireland Preliminary Quarter-Final. The Yew County won this game by a single point in Salthill. They battled in windy conditions, with Galway taking a five-point lead. David McBrien’s goal was key for Mayo as it levelled the match. Mayo’s defence stood firm against Galway as they shut down Cillian McDaid. Galway threw the kitchen sink at their great rivals but in the end, Mayo scraped a 1-10 to 0-12 victory. It was another epic match in this iconic series.
Meanwhile, Mayo also won their most recent Connacht Final meeting in 2021. This was an incredible victory for the Westerners as they produced a magnificent comeback. They trailed by five points at halftime. Mattie Ruane was the standout player as he ran Galway ragged and scored 1-2. Galway went 27 minutes without a score as Mayo dominated the second half in a 2-14 to 2-8 win.
Galway’s most recent victory over Mayo came in 2022 when they beat their rivals in the Connacht quarter-final. They won this match by a single point with a final scoreline of 1-14 to 16 points. It was Mayo manager James Horan’s first defeat against Galway in seven games. They almost produced another stirring comeback, but it wasn’t to be. The first half was even as they went into the interval level. Galway took an early five-point lead, but Mayo came roaring back. They took the lead early in the second half, but Galway scored another five points in a row.
Then the Tribesmen took a six-point lead with two minutes left, leaving Mayo with too much to do. Galway’s defence played a massive role in this victory as they shut Mayo out. Mayo had 11 wides in this game, and these proved costly. However, this remains a rare victory in recent years for Galway.
Mayo is justifiably the favourite ahead of this game. Galway will be desperate to get one over their old rivals and take revenge for recent losses. Betting on this football match will be exciting because it will be a competitive game. Plus, the last few clashes have seen red cards. Michael Farragher got his marching orders in the latest Connacht football final.
There’s no overestimating the importance of Ryan O’Donoghue to this Mayo team. The former amateur boxing champion is one of his team’s key players and delivered a knockout display against Roscommon. He’s been a standout over the past couple of years and will be a crucial leader for them against Galway.
The Mayo panel has experienced a massive turnover in recent years. Only Aidan O’Shea and Cillian O’Connor remain from their great 2012 team. These veterans still deliver quality on the field and lend their experience in the changing room.
Galway struggled to score against Sligo and can’t afford to start the same way against this Mayo team. Rob Finnerty was outstanding against the Magpies, but can’t carry the burden by himself. Damian Comer didn’t start in the semifinal, but he’s fit for this big game. It will be a massive boost for the Tribesmen if they can get him firing.
This game has extra meaning because the winner will be the most successful team in the history of the Connacht Senior Football Championship. Currently, both Galway and Mayo sit level with 48 victories each. Who will claim an unprecedented 49th crown in this GAA match?
Galway vs Mayo Predictions
Prediction: Galway 1-12 to 2-10 Mayo
We predict Mayo will emerge as champions in this Connacht Senior Football Final. They have the superior firepower and the momentum to do some damage against Galway. Their win over Roscommon was far more impressive than Galway’s narrow victory over Sligo.
However, betting on GAA can throw up some surprises. Mayo enters this game as a big favourite, but we believe the result will be closer than the bookmakers think. This is a massive occasion for Galway and they’ll want to bring the Nestor Cup home. Manager Padraic Joyce will motivate his team to leave everything on the pitch. History shows these games are usually close even when there’s a clear favourite. Mayo’s goals can be the difference with Ryan O’Donoghue, one of the nation’s standout players. Robert Finnerty also enters this game in clinical form.
Mayo’s defence can’t afford to give Galway’s forwards as much space as they did against Roscommon. The Rossies wasted several big chances to put pressure on the Westerners. Galway’s Shane Walsh will lap up these opportunities and make them pay.
Our GAA prediction for this Connacht Senior Football Final is that Mayo will beat Galway by a single point. The Tribesmen may take an early lead, but Mayo has the firepower to win. Follow live betting in this game in case Galway takes an early lead. Remember, Mayo has a history of great comebacks in the Championship.
Galway vs Mayo Betting Tips
Betting on GAA always adds extra drama and raises the tension. There is a range of great markets on our betting site. The Westerners are favourites for claiming the Nestor Cup again. They’re currently available at 17/20. A €10 bet on Mayo would net a profit of €8.50. The same stake on the Tribesmen would see returns of €22.50. Galway enters this game as a 5/4 underdog. The odds are relatively close, which shows this is a tough game. There has to be a winner in this game. Ensure your online bet includes any extra time or penalties.
Betting on Mayo is the safest option, but choosing the goalscorers is one of the most lucrative markets. It’s not a shock that most bookmakers are backing Mayo’s Ryan O’Donoghue being the game’s most clinical player. He’s available at 6/1 to be the last goalscorer and 11/2 to be the man of the match.
Rob Finnerty had a brilliant game against Roscommon. It’s 10/1 for him to score the last goal. This seems like great odds when Galway’s injury-riddled Damien Comer is available at the same price and may not even start. A €10 bet would see a huge €100 profit. Galway’s Shane Walsh is 12/5 to score a goal at any time. He’s been the county’s main goal threat in recent games, so this could be an interesting market. This would net a successful punter a profit of €24.
After betting on the Connacht Final, attention will turn to the All-Ireland GAA Championship. Mayo and Galway are joint fourth-favourites to win the Sam Maguire Cup at 12/1. A dominant victory for either side on Sunday could see these odds shrink. A €10 stake would see returns of €130.
It’s never been more exciting to bet on the GAA. Newcomers to Novibet will receive a welcome bonus after registration. You can use this offer to bet on Gaelic football and a range of other sports and markets. There’s never been a better time to enjoy online sports betting.
