The Galway minor footballers, under the guidance of team manager Stephen Joyce and selectors Jason Taniane and Terence Morgan, produced a good performance Sunday in Croke Park on Sunday, defeating Donegal by 2-12 to 1-11 to qualify for the All-Ireland minor final for the first time in nine years.
They will face either Kerry or Kildare in the decider.
There was much to admire in this polished performance, from the inspirational goalkeeping of Cormac Haslam up to the work-rate and finishing power of team captain Dessie Connelly at full-forward.
Key men did the business on every line of the field and the overall work-rate and collective desire for a victory, and a place in Croke Park on the third Sunday in September, was evident to all in attendance.
Management
got big calls right
The team management made their early calls right too and the decision to bring in Cein D'arcy around the middle in place of the unfortunate Eoghan Deeley, who was due to line out at corner back, worked well. It gave Galway a real physical presence around the middle third where Seán Raftery and John Maher also did well.
D'arcy is only just back to full fitness and it was a big call to draft him in. However it worked and he should improve from the 60 minutes of championship football, and should be a bit fitter in three weeks time if required.
The key scorers for Galway were Robert Finnerty and Dessie Conneely who hit 2-7 between them.
Like his father, Anthony, when he played with Mayo, Robert has a flair for doing things with panache. The Salthill man had a mighty game at corner forward and he took his early goal with great confidence and style. He has a really sweet left peg and his chip up and lay off for the second Galway goal was one of the highlights of the game.
He hit 1-5 (4fs ) in total, and if he had been a bit more ruthless in front of goal, he could have had another green flag too. Sometimes he tends to lay possession off even when he is in the best position to take the shot, and it is something he needs to focus on before the final when every scoring opportunity will be crucial.
Maigh Cuillinn's Dessie Conneely was awarded the man-of-the-match award and his well-taken minute goal after 50 minutes was the critical score in sealing the deal. Although quiet in the first 20 minutes and having spilt a few balls, he stuck to the task, and by the end of the game he was firing on all cylinders and proving a real handful for the Donegal defence.
At one stage in the second half, he chased back 20 or 30 yards and robbed an advancing Donegal defender in a super example of the little things that turn a game around. Dessie is a top-class captain and was a good choice by the management team and panel.
Seán Mulkerrin
a gem
At the back Galway are lucky to have a full-back like young Seán Mulkerrin who is a top player.
The Aran Island man has the feet of a dancer and his use of possession is hugely impressive. He came out with a load of ball and never wasted one. Considering he is only 17 and young enough next year at this grade, he is a player to watch and admire.
Outside him, Barna's Ernán McDonagh put in a fine shift too and worked his socks off at number six. He held the middle well and could have got in for a goal too, only for a superb tackle by the Donegal defence. Fionnán Garvey was very impressive at number seven and he is extremely composed on the ball and kicked a terrific point into the bargain. He had a very good game.
While Finnerty and Connelly take the plaudits for their scoring exploits, Ryan Forde and Barry Goldrick played massive roles too.
Forde is a flyer and his work at wing-forward was a vital cog in the win.
The diminutive Goldrick has a great engine, good control in possession, and he hit a super individual point in the last quarter too. However, he will be annoyed that he scuffed a shot wide when he had the goal at his mercy at one stage.
Centre-forward Evan Murphy is a gorgeous passer of the ball and is a massive influence on the team when he is on his game. He hit in some really sweet passes to the inside line and Galway will need him on turbo boost for the full 60 minutes in the final.
Substitute Ross Murphy played a part too and worked hard on his introduction and hit a lovely point for his troubles.
Kerry are hot favourites for this Sunday's semi-final. They are going for a three in a row at this grade and are considered a super outfit and considered by many to be a "shoo-in" to win the whole kit and kaboodle.
Regardless of that assessment, Sunday will give the Galway management team a great opportunity to study both Kildare and Kerry and come up with a plan to try to take either of them down on September 18.
Scorers for Galway: R. Finnerty 1-5 (0-4f ), D. Conneely 1-2 (0-2f ), E. Murhpy 0-2 (0-1f ), F. Garvey, R. Murphy, B. Goldrick 0-1 each.
Galway: Cormac Haslam (Glenamaddy ) , Céin D’Arcy (Caherlistrane ), Seán Mulkerrin (Aran Islands ), Eoin McFadden (Salthill-Knocknacarra ) , Adam Quirke (Annaghdown ), Ernán McDonagh (Barna ), Fionnán Garvey (Monivea-Abbey ) , Seán Raftery (Glenamaddy ), John Maher (S/K ) , Finian Ó’ Laoi (An Spidéal ), Evan Murphy (S/K ), Ryan Forde (Annaghdown ) , Robert Finnerty (S/K ), Dessie Conneely Cpt (Maigh Cuillinn ), Barry Goldrick (Claregalway ). Subs used: Ross Murphy (Barna )
