After scoring 1-1 in injury time to defeat Leitrim last Friday a developmental Galway side now face Roscommon this Friday in the FBD final for the eighth time in ten years.
Roscommon overcame the stubborn challenge of London on Saturday winning out 0-21 to 1-09. Galway defeated Leitrim 2-18 to 1-17 on Friday evening with both new and returning faces impressing in a game that Galway were much more comfortable in than the scoreline suggests. Antaine O’Laoi made a welcome return and impressed in a new role at centre forward finishing with 0-3 to his name while Cein D’Arcy was introduced as a first half substitute and continued his fine form from the Dublin championship, showing why Padraic Joyce recalled him to the squad with some fine fetches and good distribution from the middle of the park.
Cillian O Curraoin and Charlie Power impressed in a full forward line that was aided by the huge work rate of Liam Costello. Oran Burke replaced Conor Flaherty in goal and despite mis-judging a high ball late on that led to the Leitrim goal he dealt with everything else that was thrown at him extremely well including two fine second half saves and a number of good composed kickouts.
The dome in Bekan allows for a much more open game of football with no elements to deal with and this high scoring fixture shows that both sides made the most of this and played some fine attacking football with some great scores taken by both sides. Galway controlled much of this game but Leitrim were deadly accurate in front of goal which stopped this Galway side from ever pulling away.
Liam Boyle and captain for the night Jack Kirrane both impressed in defence while the introduction of Rory Cunningham ended up being the winning of the game as the St. Brendan’s man finished with 2-01 to his name thanks to two clinical finishes when through on goal. Salthill’s Daniel Flaherty looks to have kicked on and improved from last year’s inclusion in the squad and the wing back scored two lovely points.
Galway will come up against a tougher test in Roscommon in the final this week and will need to improve in some areas but the players should all improve after having a game together. The pre-season competitions have always been used for blooding new players and Galway had several players make their debut with none of them disappointing in a result that will delight the Galway management but they will be slightly disappointed to have conceded 1-17.
Galway will not be able to concede 1-17 to Roscommon and still win the game. Friday’s final will throw in at 7.30pm, again in the dome and will give Padraic Joyce and his team one more look at these players before he decides who will continue with the panel for the rest of the season. With the national league kicking off for Galway against Mayo on Sunday the 28th of January the new players involved may have just one more chance to impress and stake a claim to stay involved.
