The Galway u-21 footballers will now face a highly-rated Roscommon outfit after defeating Mayo by 1-12 to 0-11 in McHale Park on Saturday evening.
Galway, managed by Alan Flynn, led by 1-6 to 0-5 at the small whistle. Team captain Damien Comer, who raised the green flag and also kicked three points in the first half, had a huge influence on the proceedings until he received a late black card.
Galway also had first half scorers in Gary Kelly, Michael Day, and Eamon Brannigan from St Michael’s.
Corofin All-Ireland winner Conor Cunningham had a fine game on his early introduction to the fray. He scored a point and was involved in a lot of positive work for the victors. He must have made a big impression on the management team and it will be interesting to see if he is given a starting slot next weekend.
Galway will now face Roscommon on Saturday week at Tuam Stadium (2pm ).
The Rossies hammered Sligo by 6-18 to 0-12 in their semi-final and they are a fine side with senior stars such as Enda Smith and Diarmuid Murtagh, who scored five goals between them in the facile win over the Yeats’ men.
Roscommon will be hoping to win back-to-back titles for the first time on Saturday week. However the game is in Tuam and Alan Flynn's charges will have taken a lot of confidence from last weekend's success in McHale Park. Galway could spring a surprise.
Galway u-21 team v Mayo: T O’Malley, E Kerin, S Wyndham, K Molloy, J Heaney, A Nolan, L Silke, M Day 0-1, D Corbett, E Tierney, D. Comer cpt (1-5, C Brady, M Daly, G Kelly 0-3, E Brannigan 0-2. Subs: C Cunningham (0-1 ) for Heaney (black card ) (22 ), E Finnerty for Daly (38 ), D Wall (Corofin ) for Kelly (48 ), P Mannion for Comer (black card ) (53 ), J Donnellan for Brannigan (60 ).
