Hello and welcome along to The42′s coverage of the Connacht SFC clash between Mayo and Galway in MacHale Park, Castlebar.

Kevin Walsh’s side are aiming for a third consecutive win over Mayo in the provincial championship, a record that Stephen Rochford’s charges will not want to facilitate on their home soil.

The previous meeting between these sides was back in February, when Galway came through with a victory over their rivals, who finished a heated encounter with 13 players.

But who will win today? As always, we want you to get involved in the build-up to the 4pm throw-in with your predictions and comments.

You can get in touch with us by posting in comment section below or send a tweet to @Shin_Farrell, who will taking you through the action.

We’ll have the team line-ups for you in the next few minutes and we’ll bring you any news of late changes on either side before throw-in, so do stay with us and enjoy the game!

Here’s how the teams are lining up at this point, but we will bring you news of any changes as they come in.

Mayo

1. David Clarke (Ballina Stephenites)

2. Eoghan O’Donoghue (Belmullet)
3. Ger Cafferkey (Ballina Stephenites)
4. Keith Higgins (Ballyhaunis)

5. Paddy Durcan (Castlebar Mitchels)
6. Colm Boyle (Davitts)
7. Stephen Coen (Hollymount/Carramore)

8. Seamus O’Shea (Breaffy)
9. Tom Parsons (Charlestown)

10. Kevin McLoughlin (Knockmore)
11. Aidan O’Shea (Breaffy)
12. Diarmuid O’Connor (Ballintubber)

13. Conor Loftus (Crossmolina)
14. Cillian O’Connor (Ballintubber)
15 Andy Moran (Ballaghaderreen)

Subs: 

16. Robert Hennelly (Breaffy)
17. Brendan Harrison (Aghamore)
18. Chris Barrett (Belmullet)
19. David Drake (Ballaghaderreen)
20. Donal Vaughan (Castlebar Mitchels)
21. Barry Moran (Castlebar Mitchels)
22. Cian Hanley (Ballaghaderreen)
23. Jason Doherty (Burrishoole)
24. Neil Douglas (Castlebar Mitchels)
25. Evan Regan (Ballina Stephenites)
26. James Durcan (Castlebar Mitchels)

Galway

1. Ruairí Lavelle (Renvyle)

2. Declan Kyne (Clonbur)
3. Seán Andy Ó Ceallaigh (Naomh Ánna, Leitir Mór)
4. Eoghan Kerin (Annaghdown)

5. Gary O’Donnell (Tuam Stars)
6. Gareth Bradshaw (Moycullen)
7. Cathal Sweeney (Killanin)

8. Tom Flynn (Athenry)
9. Ciaran Duggan (Annaghdown)

10. Shane Walsh (Kilkerrin/Clonberne)
11. Paul Conroy (St James)
12. Johnny Heaney (Killanin)

13. Seán Armstrong (Salthill/Knocknacarra)
14. Damien Comer (Annaghdown)
15. Barry McHugh (Mountbellew/Moylough)

Subs: 

16. Bernard Power (Corofin)
17. Eamonn Brannigan (St Michael’s)
18. Frankie Burke (Annaghdown)
19. Ian Burke (Corofin)
20. Peter Cooke (Moycullen)
21. Johnny Duane (St James)
22. Seán Kelly (Moycullen)
23. Patrick Sweeney (Killanin)
24. Adrian Varley (Cortoon Shamrocks)
25. David Wynne (Moycullen)
26. Evan Wynne (Salthill-Knocknacarra)

When you have Mohammed, Dublin and King Garth’s backing then what could go wrong. Good luck to @MayoGAA today for the big one in Castlebar. Gutted I can’t be there. #mayogaa 💚❤️ pic.twitter.com/3R9xYGsX2m

— Kevin Kilbane (@kdkilbane77) May 13, 2018

It’s filling up nicely in Castlebar. Let us know if you’re at the game.

Getting close to show time!!!! #mayogaa #gaa pic.twitter.com/bhaRrjDFkG

— Mayo GAA (@MayoGAA) May 13, 2018

As we approach the 4pm throw-in, here is some essential reading to get you through the wait.

1) Kerry legend Colm Cooper suspects that Aidan O’Shea could pick up Galway’s danger man Damien Comer. Could he be right?

2) Mayo keeper David Clarke was speaking about Mayo’s All-Ireland final defeat to Dublin and why he had no hesitation in committing himself to the panel again in 2018.

“When you enjoy playing football and training, you just try to make the most of it and get out there as much as you can.

“Obviously I’m getting a bit older now so you try and make the most of every year you’re around the set up and see what happens. But when I go to bed I’m not crying myself to sleep.”

Damien Comer getting into the zone!

Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

Another chapter will be added to the rivalry today.

Championship heartbreak, hunger abound. Mayo and Galway get ready to do it all again. The quest to avoid a much tougher test and secure provincial honours. Don't miss it. @rte2 @rteplayer. We're live from 1;15pm. pic.twitter.com/7yXxLXLZ6v

— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) May 13, 2018

Lee Keegan tells the Sunday Game that he was close to being fit for today’s game and is hopeful that he will be available for the next outing.

Two changes on the Mayo team before throw-in: Chris Barrett in for Ger Cafferkey and Jason Doherty replaces Cillian O’Connor.‬

This will be Barrett’s first game since last years all Ireland final after missing the national league through injury.

Mayo 0-0 Galway 0-0

A place in the Connacht semi-finals is up for grabs. Who will claim it? We are underway in Castlebar.

Mayo 0-1 Galway 0-0

Conor Loftus gets Mayo off the mark with a well taken free. First blood to the home side.

Mayo 0-1 Galway 0-0

Andy Moran earns a free for Mayo after a challenge from Gareth Bradshaw. Mayo have made a strong start to the tie.

Mayo 0-1 Galway 0-0

Kevin McLoughlin hits the post with his effort off the left boot. He will be disappointed with that.

McLoughlin went to the ground shortly after and the referee hands out a yellow card to Eoghan Kerin.

Mayo 0-1 Galway 0-0

Mayo pressing well into Galway’s half. Paddy Durcan goes for a shot from distance but it’s a wasteful effort and that’s their second miss of the early stages.

Galway need to get their hands on the ball and start creating some chances.

Mayo 0-1 Galway 0-1

Super score from Seán Armstrong. He fetches a high ball well, turns his man and sweeps it over the bar.

Great response from Galway to level the tie in the eighth minute.

Meanwhile, Aidan O’Shea misses an opportunity for a score.

Mayo 0-1 Galway 0-2

Damien Comer opens up his tally for the afternoon with a lovely strike off the right boot. He gathered the ball out near the sidelines and turned on the afterburners to cut inside his man and pop it over the bar.

Galway hold a one-point lead.

Mayo 0-1 Galway 0-2 

Diarmuid O’Connor hits Mayo’s fourth wide and he will be disappointed with that shot from close range.

Mayo wasting a lot of possession and scoreable chances.

Mayo 0-1  Galway 0-3 

Chris Barrett fouls Comer and Barry McHugh scores a brilliant free off the ground from a tricky angle.

Comer creating problems for Barrett.

Mayo 0-1 Galway 0-3 

Superb defending from Galway there to hold Moran who was in a dangerous position.

Disciplined tackling gets them a free out and they continue to hold that two-point advantage.

Mayo 0-1 Galway 0-4

McHugh hits his second free of the afternoon to push Galway three points in front after 17 minutes. Confident strike from the championship debutant and Mayo need a response.

Mayo 0-2 Galway 0-4

Mayo needed a score and Diarmuid O’Connor has reduced the gap to two with his side’s first point in some 15 minutes.

Mayo 0-2 Galway 0-5

And Comer slots over his second point to edge his side back into a three-point lead.

Mayo 0-3 Galway 0-5

The sides are trading scores with Loftus converting another free to keep Mayo in touch with the visitors.

Mayo 0-4 Galway 0-5

A third point for Loftus and manager Stephen Rochford will be much happier now as Mayo start to impose themselves on the contest.

Mayo 0-4 Galway 0-5

Tom Parsons misses a great opportunity to level the sides and that’s Mayo’s fifth wide of the day.

They may come to regret all those missed chances after the full-time whistle.

Mayo 0-5 Galway 0-5

We’re level in MacHale Park for the second time, with Kevin McLoughlin scoring the equaliser.

It’s a tense encounter with Galway opting for that defensive structure.

Mayo 0-5 Galway 0-6

Great defending from Seán Andy Ó Ceallaigh to intercept the ball and the move eventually ends with Shane Walsh hitting a great score and put his side back in front.

Mayo 0-5 Galway 0-6

Red card! Diarmuid O’Connor has been sent off for leading with elbow in trying to shake off Paul Conroy.

Mayo down to 14 at the half-hour mark and that’s a massive blow for Mayo. Conroy is going off to get some treatment and a blood sub will be coming in.

Mayo 0-5 Galway 0-7

Great Ciaran Duggan point just moments after that sending off. Can Mayo stay in this tie with 14 players?

Mayo 0-5 Galway 0-7

Great defensive work on both sides. Cathal Sweeney steals the ball away for Galway and Aidan O’Shea executes a brilliant turnover a few seconds later.

One minute of normal time remaining in the first half.

Three minutes of added time to be played.

Mayo 0-5 Galway 0-7

Brilliant goalkeeping from David Clarke. Comer hit a wayward shot into the danger area, but Clarke did well to position himself under the ball and gather it cleanly with a few bodies around him.

Mayo 0-6 Galway 0-7

Moran posts his first point of the day and that’s a timely score as the half-time whistle looms. He turned his man well and tapped it over to give his side a lift.

HT: Galway lead Mayo by one point in the Connacht SFC quarter-final.

“Galway are stuck in this rigid system that destroys spontaneity” – Joe Brolly doesn’t like how Galway are playing.

Mayo 0-6 Galway 0-7

And we’re back underway!

Mayo 0-6 Galway 0-7

Bad miss from McLoughlin after Moran earned a free in a great position. Galway go on the move again.

Mayo 0-6 Galway 0-7

29,449 in attendance in Castlebar

— Fintan O'Toole (@fotoole13) May 13, 2018

Mayo 0-7 Galway 0-7

Keith Higgins hits the equaliser! The brilliant defender scores at the end of one of his rampaging runs.

Mayo 0-8 Galway 0-7

McLoughlin puts Mayo in front.

It came from a counter-attack after Shane Walsh hit an effort into the keeper’s hands.

Mayo 0-8 Galway 0-8

Redemption for Walsh. He makes it a level game once again with a great strike just moments after he kicked the ball short.

Mayo 0-8 Galway 0-8

Cillian O’Connor is warming up on the sideline. It looks like he’s going to make an introduction as Tom Parsons receives treatment. It looks like he will be making way.

Mayo 0-8 Galway 0-8 

Huge round of applause for Parsons, who is being brought off. O’Connor will take his place and Mayo will be looking to him for leadership with the game in the balance.

Mayo 0-8 Galway 0-8

Galway substitution: Eamonn Brannigan is coming on for Declan Kyne.

Mayo 0-8 Galway 0-8

Paul Conroy is out of the game with a bad injury to his face, he won't be coming back on.

— Tribesmen GAA (@TribesmenGAA) May 13, 2018

Mayo 0-8 Galway 0-8

The pace has dropped in the game. There’s lots of bodies stopping the flow and Galway are trying to work the ball around with the hand-passing game.

Mayo 0-8 Galway 0-9

Mayo concede a free in a very scoreable position for Shane Walsh and he curls it over with his left foot to register his third point of the game.

Galway lead in the 56th minute.

Mayo 0-9 Galway 0-9

Moran on target again and there is no separating these sides.

Mayo 0-9 Galway 0-9 

Huge shot from Moran but it trails past the wrong side of the post and that brings Mayo’s wides tally up to nine.

Meanwhile, Mayo are making a change and bringing on David Drake for Conor Loftus.

Mayo 0-10 Galway 0-10

Brilliant long-range point from Ciaran Duggan to edge Galway in front but Cillian O’Connor sends the ball over the black spot.

We are level once more and it sets up a very tense conclusion to the game.

Mayo 0-10 Galway 0-11

The scores are coming in thick and fast. Substitute Seán Kelly makes a great introduction by taking the smart option and fist-passing the ball over the bar.

He came on for Tom Flynn just a minute earlier.

Mayo 0-10 Galway 0-11

Galway hold a slender one-point lead as the game opens up a bit. Galway’s defence does well to hold up James Durcan and secure a free.

The ball ends up in the hands of Barry McHugh but his shot from distance tails wide.

Mayo 0-10 Galway 0-11

Brilliant interception from Brannigan to cut out a hand-pass from Andy Moran. Some sloppy play from Gary O’Donnell at the other end sees Mayo win possession back.

Meanwhile, Cian Hanley is on for Mayo in place of Seamie O’Shea and Johnny Duane replaces Galway’s Gareth Bradshaw.

Eight minutes of added time to be played following the long stoppage in play for Tom Parsons’ injury.

Mayo 0-11 Galway 0-11

We’re level in MacHale Park! Kevin McLoughlin scores to level the tie for the eighth time.

Are we heading for a draw?

Mayo 0-11 Galway 0-11

Cillian O’Connor gets a yellow card for a challenge on Seán Andy Ó Ceallaigh.

GOAL!! Johnny Heaney hits the back of the net for Galway.

Mayo 0-12 Galway 1-11

O’Connor pops over a free for Mayo to leave them two adrift of Galway following that cracking Heaney goal into the roof of the Mayo net.

Colm Boyle tries to bring his side back to within a point but sends it wide.

Mayo 0-12 Galway 1-12

Tom Flynn races in to pop the ball over the bar with the fist. And with less than a minute to go, it looks like that is the insurance score for Galway.

FT: Galway defeat Mayo in the Connacht SFC quarter-final

Mayo 0-12 Galway 1-12

Well that was a pulsating end!

A fantastic goal from the boot of Johnny Heaney proves to be the decisive score as Connacht inflict a third consecutive championship defeat on their rivals Mayo.

Diarmuid O’Connor’s sending off was a pivotal moment but Mayo had plenty of possession and could have won this tie despite being a man down.

Galway will go on now to take on Sligo in the Connacht SFC semi-final.

Well that’s all from us folks.

We hope you all enjoyed the action this afternoon and we hope you’ll join us again for the next outing in the 2018 championship.