This Monday in Tuam Stadium (4pm ) the Galway u-21 footballers kick start their Connacht championship campaign with a clash against Sligo.
Galway, under the management team of Alan Flynn, Delcan Meehan, Paul Clancy, Alan Mulholland and Donal O' Flatharta, have four players from the 2011 All-Ireland success.
Unfortunately two, Tomas Flynn (knee operation ) and Peadar Ó Griofa (cruciate ligament ), are unavailable for this year's campaign. The other two, Tomas Healy (Corofin ) and Fiontáin Ó Curraoin (Micheal Breathnachs ) are expected to start this weekend.
Team manager Alan Flynn is hopeful the current squad will rise to Monday’s challenge against tricky opponents.
"The lads have trained very hard over the past few weeks and they impressed in our recent challenges against Donegal and Tipperary. However, we know Sligo have some very good young players and we will have to produce a very good performance if we are to advance. They have a couple of lads like Niall Murphy and Brian Egan who have been impressing with their seniors and we are well aware of the challenge they will pose to us."
The Galway starting fifteen is likely to include James O' Shaughnessy (Ballinasloe ), Eoin Walsh (Moycullen ), Shane Walsh (Kilkerrin/Clonberne ), Padraig Cunningham (Ballinasloe ) and Cortoon's Adrian Varley as well as Tom Healy and senior player Ó Curraion.
Others who have caught the eye over the past few months are Philip Ezergalis (Moycullen ), Mattie Heskin (Salthill ), Damien Comer (Annaghdown ) and former county minor captain Eanna Ó hEocaidh (An Spidéal ).
Flynn is urging football fans to support the team on Monday.
“We are hoping Galway football supporters will come out and support us in Tuam on Monday.A good strong home crowd and cheer would be greatly appreciated by everyone involved.”
