Tommy Joyce’s minor panel are on the road again when they travel to Carrick-on-Shannon on Saturday to face Leitrim in the Connacht semi-final (7pm ) in a game they are expected to win.
The winners will face Roscommon, who beat Mayo last Sunday by 3-8 to 1-8, in the Connacht final on July 17.
Last Saturday the Galway minors had a comprehensive 2-11 to 1-6 victory over Sligo in Markievicz Park.
It was poor fare in the first half and Galway were frustrated by 10 first-half wides which left the sides tied at 0-4 to 0-4 at half time.
Galway moved up the gears in the second half and, with an improved display at midfield by Claregalway’s Seán Moran and the forwards with Ian Burke, Shane Walsh and Pa Glynn to the fore, they outscored Sligo by 2-7 to 1-2 in the second period.
Conor Gleeson was secure under the high ball in goal, but he can improve in other facets of his game, and the full back line of Conor Cunningham, Liam Silke and team captain James Shaughnessy was solid.
Shaughnessy, who was full back last year too, is an impressive player and it is a joy to watch him tearing out of defence.
Eoin Walsh had a fine game at number five and Gearóid Canavan was solid at centre-back and also caught a few kick-outs.
Seán Moran improved at midfield as the game progressed and he took his goal well.
Substitute Johnny Kelleher from Oranmore also caught the eye when introduced and he showed good vision and linked the play well.
This team has a lot of potential and with a bit more creative interplay up front and more hard work and honest graft when not in possession by all the forwards, they can go a long way in the championship.
There are expected to be some changes in the team for the game on Saturday night, but if Galway play to their ability, they will advance.
