Gerry Fahy’s county minors face a tough game against last year’s All-Ireland finalists Mayo in the curtain raiser on Sunday (12.10pm ).
It will be an early start for the Galway faithful who want to arrive in Sligo just after noon to shout on the team that beat Sligo 1-5 to 0-7 the last day out.
Mayo are managed by Ray Dempsey for the third year in a row and he can call on three of last year’s starting XV in Adrian Walsh, Ciaran Charlton and Alex Corduff who will provide leadership and experience for the side.
Galway will look to players like Jonathan Duane, Gary Sweeney, Shane Bohan, Conor Halloran, and Brian Flaherty at the back to keep tabs on the Mayo offensive unit and hope that their own omnipotent inside forward line of team captain Ronan Steede, Eric Monahan, and Patrick Sweeney will do the business at the other end.
Big displays will be needed from Ronan O’Connell and Fiontan O’Curraoin at midfield, but Fahy is hopeful his side can edge it.
“No stone has been left unturned by this panel and they are a superb bunch of young men. We have been delighted and massively impressed by their commitment over the past few months. Most of them have had a tough few weeks with the Leaving Certificate and hopefully they will be raring to go this Sunday.”
* Galway minors v Mayo is live on Galway Bay FM at 12.10pm
