Galway are through to the 2022 Connacht final following a facile 4-20 to 0-09 win over Leitrim in Pearse Stadium on Sunday.
The Tribesmen will now face Anthony Cunningham’s Roscommon as the two teams meet in their third final this season, having already played each other in the FBD final and the division two National League decider.
Roscommon have had the edge over Padraic Joyce’s Galway in their two most recent league meetings, albeit against a weakened Galway side in the last round of the league. Whether this will give the Rossies a psychological advantage over Galway in the final in just over a fortnight’s time remains to be seen. There is also some extra motivation for Galway in light of the manner of that defeat in Croke Park when conceding that late Diarmuid Murtagh goal.
There was one change to the Galway team last Sunday from the game in Castlebar with Cillian McDaid replacing Niall Daly - although he began the game at midfield with Matthew Tierney moving to centre forward.
Leitrim stayed with Galway for large parts of the first half with Leitrim’s most dangerous forward, Ryan O’Rourke, kicking two points, while also impressing in general open play. McDaid kicked three massive points from distance from midfield in what was a statement opening 25 minutes from the Monivea-Abbey man who revelled in his new role.
However, as the first half wore on, Galway gradually stretched their lead, and all but killed the Leitrim challenge as the sides entered the break with the scores 0-12 to 0-05. And the second half was nothing more than a procession. Galway emptied the bench and still added heavily to the scoreboard, outscoring Leitrim 4-08 to 0-04 in the second half.
Some Galway substitutes have given Padraic Joyce a few welcome selection headaches as all of the Galway goals came from the bench. Patrick Kelly grabbed a brace, while Niall Daly and Owen Gallagher also raised green flags. Kelly, in particular, was excellent after his introduction, and it would seem difficult to leave the Mountbellew-Moylough clubman out of the starting fifteen following his effective cameo against Mayo too.
Manager Joyce said he was "pleased enough" to get through the game.
"Semi-finals are all about winning them and getting to a final and that’s what we did. Pleased with the way we played, and pleased with the scoreline, so it’s great. All we could have done before the match was to get the ticket into the Connacht final and that’s what we’ve done.”
Next up are the Galway minors who will play their third round robin game of the Connacht minor championship against Mayo this Friday evening at 7pm in Tuam Stadium.
Alan Glynn’s side has won the opening two fixtures at a canter against Roscommon (3-19 to 1-12 ) and Sligo (4-12 to 0-8 ) respectively, but they are likely to be tested properly for the first time on Friday when Mayo come to town.
Claregalway’s Eanna Monaghan has been Galway’s most impressive performer so far, picking up the man of the match award in both games, and it is expected he will be closely watched by both the Mayo team and Galway supporters this Friday evening.
A win for Galway on Friday will guarantee a position in the next phase of the competition with one game remaining.
