Sunday’s action at Pearse Stadium gets under way at 12am with the Galway minors taking on a highly-rated Sligo side in the Connacht semi-final.
The highly experienced Gerry Fahy is the Galway team manager and he is hopeful his charges can start the day for the county on a winning note.
“We have worked very hard over the past few months in preparation for this game and hopefully it will go well for us. We did not learn an awful lot against New York, but it is still good to have a game under our belt and it was an opportunity for the panel to get used to a championship game in the stadium and create a winning habit.
“Our preparation has been a bit disjointed with the Leaving Cert exams over the past few weeks and some of the panel have their last exam today (Thursday ). The exams take priority and hopefully the lads can get back to top form for Sunday after a tough two weeks. It will have been the same for Sligo and we are only focusing on the team producing a big performance this Sunday.”
Sligo will be a tough nut to crack and Fahy will need the spine of his team, which will be announced this evening, to produce genuine leadership and big displays if Galway are to advance.
Defenders such as James Shaughnessy and Marcus Kelly (Ballinasloe ), Paul Varley (Cortoon Shamrocks ), Philip Ezergalis (Moycullen ), midfielders Thomas Flynn (Athenry ) and team captain Eanna O hEocaidh (An Spidéal ), and key forwards Niall Quinn (Tuam Stars ), Fiach O’Bearra (Ml Breathnach ) and Niall Walsh (Killanin ) must lead Galway’s charge.
Other players such as Conor Rabbitte (Kilkerrin/Clonberne ), Fintan O’Curraoin (Ml Breathnach ) and the powerfully built Shane Maughan (St Michael’s ) may also be called upon to get the match-winning scores.
Galway played Sligo in the league during the year in Glenamaddy and were fortunate to get away with a narrow win. Fahy and his management team of Noel Meehan and John Conole know they face a really tough test this Sunday if they are to qualify for the Connacht final.
Fahy would love to see plenty of maroon and white supporters in the stand and in the terraces to support the minor team this Sunday.
“Sunday is real championship. There are no back doors and the winner takes all. There has been very little between the counties in the past few years and I expect it to be the same on Sunday. It would be fantastic if all the Galway supporters who are coming to support the seniors could make a special effort and try to get into the stadium early to support our team too. It would make a big difference and would be greatly appreciated.”
