Galway reached their eighth Connacht final in a row with an impressive win over Roscommon in Hyde Park on Sunday afternoon.
Winning by four points, 1-13 to 1-09, Galway displayed a huge improvement in their game management since the early rounds of the league.
Trailing by four at half-time, Roscommon came out for the second half with guns blazing, and they soon led by one point, thanks to a fine goal by Ciaran Murtagh.
However, after going behind, Galway slowed the game down and kept possession for long periods to try to kill the Roscommon resurgence. Points from Matthew Tierney and the impressive debutant John Maher were soon followed by an opportunistic goal by Damien Comer to put the Tribesmen in control again. From then on Padraic Joyce’s side comfortably maintained control, closing out the game with a fisted point from star man Damien Comer.
Comer scored 1-4 on the day, all from play, and although Shane Walsh was kept quiet, he showed his importance to his side, while the returning Ian Burke showed he had not lost any of his guile with a number of smart, slick hand passes during the game, notably assisting Cathal Sweeney for his first-half point, and also punching the ball over the bar early in the second half.
Galway’s mean defence was back to its best again, conceding just 10 scores across the seventy-plus minutes, while not conceding from play in the entire first half.
Of Galway’s six backs, Seán Kelly is the eldest, having just turned 26, and the composure shown by all six was superb throughout the game, with Johnny McGrath, Jack Glynn and Cathal Sweeney all continuing to defy their youth with excellent performances. Bernie Power was back in goal with Padraic Joyce putting his faith in the experienced Corofin man, and he did not let him down. He was calm under pressure and always an available outlet for his team when needed.
Paul Conroy had another solid game, but this time he was overshadowed by his midfield partner. With Conroy playing a more central role and making less runs forward, debutant John Maher took over for Cillian McDaid on the day and showed why he has been brought back into the Galway panel as he scored two fine scores from play and delivered some excellent defensive work.
Five of Galway’s six starting forwards scored, with only Peter Cooke, who was playing in a more defensive role and worked tirelessly, failing to score. Galway also had the luxury of introducing 2022 All-star Cillian McDaid on his return from injury and Rob Finnerty from the bench. Salthill-Knocknacarra had two intercounty debutants last Sunday with Daniel O’Flaherty joining John Maher on the field of play.
Galway now face Sligo in McHale Park on May 7 at 1.45 in the Connacht final after Tony McEntee’s side comfortably defeated New York on Saturday afternoon. The final will be a double header with the ladies' Connacht final between Galway and Mayo, throwing in at 11am.
The Tribesmen have been installed as third favourites to win the Sam Maguire this season, having been clipped into 11/2 from 8/1 with BoyleSports to land a first All-Ireland title in 22 years.
Padraic Joyce’s men have been made 1/50 shots to see off Sligo (12/1 ), who dashed New York’s dream by cruising to victory at Markievicz Park. The chances of Mayo winning their first All-Ireland senior title since 1951 via the back door have drifted to 6/1 from 9/2 following their quarter-final exit in Connacht at the hands of Roscommon.
Jack O’Connor’s Kerry are now 1/50 to put the seal on another provincial title and share All-Ireland favouritism at 2/1 with Dublin, who are also red-hot odds-on favourites at 1/33 to maintain superiority in Leinster ahead of a semi-final showdown with Kildare at Croke Park.
