Welcome to Salthill where a decent crowd is gathering at Pearse Stadium.  There is the usual speculation about potential changes.  The talk about Mayo is that Tom Cunniffe and Alan Dillon are poised to start.  On the banks of the Corrib there are whispers that Shane Walsh could be in the Galway team.  All the usual Championship rumours are in the conversations so summer has truly arrived.

The Connacht Junior final has just finished in Salthill, Sligo winning a tight game 0-15 to 1-11.  Sligo, managed by senior boss Kevin Walsh, finished well to defeat the Green and Red.

There is a good buzz around Salthill since early morning.  Mayo have travelled in decent numbers and the turnstiles continue to click.  The stand is sold out and Connacht Council officials are expecting a crowd in the region of 18,000 for this provincial clash.

The Green and Red brigade will get a few chuckles from the following: http://www.thescore.ie/mayo-fans-915106-May2013/

No official word on any changes yet.  So for now the teams are as announced:

GALWAY: Maghnus Breathnach (An Spideal); Johnny Duane (St James’), Colin Forde (Killererin), Gary Sweeney (Mountbellew-Moylough); Gareth Bradshaw (Moycullen), Keith Kelly (Ballinasloe), Gary Sice (Corofin); Niall Coleman (Annaghdown), Fiontan O’Curraoin (Micheal Breathnach); Tom Flynn (Athenry), Paul Conroy (St James’), Conor Doherty (Tuam Stars); Sean Armstrong (Salthill-Knocknacarra), Michael Meehan (Caltra), Danny Cummins (Claregalway).

MAYO: David Clarke (Ballina Stephenites); Kevin Keane (Westport), Ger Cafferkey (Ballina Stephenites), Keith Higgins (Ballyhaunis); Lee Keegan (Westport), Donal Vaughan (Ballinrobe), Colm Boyle (Davitts); Aidan O’Shea (Breaffy), Seamus O’Shea (Breaffy); Kevin McLoughlin (Knockmore), Cillian O’Connor (Ballintubber), Cathal Carolan (Crossmolina); Enda Varley (Garrymore), Alan Freeman (Aghamore), Darren Coen (Hollymount/Carramore).

And Mayo’s twitter account has just revealed that James Horan will make two changes from the announced team.  Tom Cunniffe and Alan Dillon replace Kevin Keane and Darren Coen.  The fun and games have started.

Here is the updated Mayo team.

MAYO: David Clarke (Ballina Stephenites); Tom Cunniffe (Castlebar Mitchells), Ger Cafferkey (Ballina Stephenites), Keith Higgins (Ballyhaunis); Lee Keegan (Westport), Donal Vaughan (Ballinrobe), Colm Boyle (Davitts); Aidan O’Shea (Breaffy), Seamus O’Shea (Breaffy); Kevin McLoughlin (Knockmore), Cillian O’Connor (Ballintubber), Cathal Carolan (Crossmolina); Enda Varley (Garrymore), Alan Freeman (Aghamore), Alan Dillon (Ballintubber).

The Saw Doctors ‘Green and Red Of Mayo’ being blasted out over the PA at the moment.  Championship football makes a welcome return to the Salthill venue.

Mayo take the field in Salthill and they are greeted by a passionate roar from the large travelling support.

Galway are out now in the west too.

It will be interesting to see how the teams match up here.  Which O’Shea will be on Fiontan O’Curraoin?  Where will Cillian O’Connor start for Mayo. Will Sean Armstrong operate in a withdrawn role leaving Michael Meehan and Danny Cummins inside?  These are the questions that will be answered shortly.

Big boost for Mayo with availability of Alan Dillon this afternoon.

Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan

The parade has commenced.  Throw in is only a matter of minutes away.  Galway and Mayo.  It still means a lot out west.

Alan Dillon going into the corner, will be marked by Johnny Duane.  Niall Coleman on Aidan O’Shea at midfield.  Game on.

Mayo 0-2 Galway 0-0: 4 mins – Splendid start from Mayo here with excellent scores from Alan Dillon and Donal Vaughan.

Mayo 0-2 Galway 0-0: 5 mins – Mayo on top at centrefield early on as Galway have yet to win a kick out.  Paul Conroy has drifted inside, Sean Armstrong is drifting out from goal.

Mayo 0-2 Galway 0-1: 6 mins- Excellent free from Michael Meehan landed from an acute angle.  That will give the locals a drop of encouragement.

Mayo 0-3 Galway 0-2: 7 mins – Cillian O’Connor has knocked over a routine free for Mayo, but Paul Conroy has summoned an instant response.

Mayo 0-5 Galway 0-2: 10 mins – Enda Varley and Alan Freeman have slung over a delightful efforts for Mayo, who are well in control.

Mayo 0-5 Galway 0-3: 13 mins – Michael Meehan has trimmed the deficit after a foul on Paul Conroy.  It has been a physical contest thus far.

Goal for Mayo!

Mayo 1-5 Galway 0-4: 15 mins - A scrappy goal for Mayo, Cillian O’Connor’s pass found Alan Freeman, the ball eventually spilled kindly for Cathal Carolan, who burst through to rattle the net.  Danny Cummins has replied with a Galway point.

Nice way to mark your championship debut. Mayo’s Cathal Carolan has struck the opening goal of the game in Salthill.

Pic: INPHO/James Crombie

Mayo 1-6 Galway 0-4: 18 mins – A woeful defensive mix up has been punished by Cillian O’Connor, who lofted a point for Mayo.

Mayo 1-7 Galway 0-4: 24 mins – Cillian O’Connor has clipped a free for Mayo.  Galway have made a change.  Shane Walsh replaces Conor Doherty.

Mayo 1-7 Galway 0-4: 25 mins – Referee Marty Duffy is using plenty of ink here in Salthill.  No mean belts have been struck, but four yellow cards have been issued.

Mayo 1-8 Galway 0-4: 26 mins - Galway continue to gift Mayo scores.  Alan Dillon with the latest following brutal Galway defending.

Galway’s Gary Sice and Cillian O’Connor of Mayo
Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan

Mayo 2-8 Galway 0-4: 32 mins – Enda Varley with the goal.  Galway are in deep trouble.  Mayo have outmuscled and outsmarted them so far.  Cillian O’Connor supplied the assist and Varley rattled the Galway net.

Mayo  3-9 Galway 0-5: 34 mins – Donal Vaughan has bagged a third Mayo goal as Galway cough up another costly turnover.  Kevin McLoughlin and Cillian O’Connor made the chance which was converted by Vaughan.

Half time: Mayo 3-9 Galway 0-6: This has been a truly demoralising half of football for Galway.  They have been blitzed by Mayo.  Goals from Cathal Carolan, Enda Varley, and Donal Vaughan ensure James Horan’s team lead by a staggering 12 points at the interval.

Galway’s Colin Forde and Johnny Duane tackle Cathal Carolan of Mayo
Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan

Scorers for Mayo: Enda Varley 1-2, Donal Vaughan 1-1, Cathal Carolan 1-0, Cillian O’Connor 0-3 (2fs), Alan Dillon 0-2, Alan Freeman 0-1.

Scorers for Galway: Danny Cummins 0-2, Michael Meehan 0-2 (2fs), Paul Conroy 0-1, Sean Armstrong 0-1 (f).

Substitutions at the interval have been made.  Joss Moore replaces Gary Sweeney for Galway, while Shane McHale is in for Ger Cafferkey.

Red card for Galway’s Gareth Bradshaw. The Galway captain has been sent off for an off the ball collision with Kevin McLoughlin, who was yellow carded.

Mayo 3-9 Galway 0-7: 39 mins - This is turning into a real sporting disaster for Galway.  Now down to 14 men Galway will do well to avoid a huge drubbing.

Mayo 3-9 Galway 0-8: 41 mins - Michael Meehan has landed a 45 for Galway, who also had a goal chance when Danny Cummins’ effort was saved by David Clarke.

Mayo 3-9 Galway 0-9: 44 mins - In front of 16, 243 Mayo still hold a commanding lead.  Galway have improved slightly, but Mayo aren’t too bothered.

Galway are now down to 13 men. Niall Coleman has been sent off for a collision with Alan Dillon.  This is a brutal day at the office for the Tribesmen.

Mayo 3-12 Galway 0-9: 58 mins – Lee Keegan has nailed a sweet point for Mayo, who have introduced Richie Feeney for Alan Freeman.  Gary O’Donnell replaces Sean Armstrong for Galway, who are simply in damage limitation mode.

Mayo 3-12 Galway 0-10: 59 mins - Mayo are celebrating and stitching it into Galway here, a standing ovation for Alan Dillon as he departs with Darren Coen introduced.

Mayo 3-12 Galway 0-10: 60 mins – James Burke in for Lee Keegan. Andy Moran is warming up and the Mayo crowd are becoming increasingly excited.

Mayo 3-13 Galway 0-11: 64 mins- Andy Moran is in for Cathal Carolan.  Eoin Concannon and Michael Martin are on instead of Michael Meehan and Gary Sice.  A few off the ball incidents, but Richie Feeney has struck a point for Mayo, who are delighting in Galway’s woes.

Mayo 3-14 Galway 0-11: 65 mins - Darren Coen has rifled over a smashing point for Mayo.  The visiting crowd are celebrating furiously.

Goal number four for Mayo!

Mayo 4-16 Galway 0-11 and it is all over in Salthill.  Andy Moran has blasted the final goal and Galway’s afternoon of epic misery is complete.

Mayo 4-16 Galway 0-11. This was a miserable encounter for Galway, who were blitzed from start to finish by a vastly superior Mayo outfit.  They will host Roscommon at McHale next month.  Galway head for the qualifiers.  Significant improvement is required.