The Galway u-21s, led by Milltown’s Mark Hehir with a superb display at centre-forward, hammered Sligo by 2-20 to 0-7 on Saturday at Markievicz Park in the Connacht semi-final.
It was all too easy for Galway and they led by 1-14 to 0-1 at half time. Team manager Alan Mulholland will have been delighted with his team’s performance, but he will know current Connacht champions Roscommon will pose a much more difficult proposition on Saturday week in the final.
Roscommon, who had already beaten Mayo in the first round, were far too strong for Leitrim last weekend too and won easily by nine points, 0-15 to 0-6.
Mark Hehir was Galway’s top scorer with 0-9 (6fs ) and Caherlistrane’s Eric Monaghan hit the two goals.
Midfielders Tomas Flynn and Fiontán Ó Curraoin were dominant throughout the contest and their workrate and fielding ability was one of the main positives from the game.
Both young men, who are very tall and rangy, were on the Galway minor team last season and are very talented and committed players. If developed and minded properly, they will hopefully provide genuine options for Galway football teams at midfield over the coming years.
Tomás Fahy at wing-back caught the eye too and his clubmate Michéal Boyle scored four points from wing-forward. Senior players Colin Forde and Johnny Duane were rarely tested in the middle of the defence.
Galway have not won the provincial u-21 title for quite some time and hopefully that statistic will be changed this season.
The Connacht final, which is fixed for Saturday April 2, is to be played at a Galway venue which is an advantage to the Galway lads. Pearse Stadium would seem the logical and best choice for such a mobile and pacey Galway outfit.
