CONNACHT SFC SEMI-FINAL Galway 1-13 Sligo 0-12: IT WAS one of those rare championship Sundays out west where nuggets of hope were available to both Galway and Sligo.
Liam Sammon’s charges had shown a few glimpses of class early on at the Markievicz Park, but it was the character demonstrated in the dying embers of the game that brought Galway satisfaction.
Sligo’s return as a competitive intercounty outfit was confirmed too thus allowing Kevin Walsh, the decorated Killanin man who garnered two All-Irelands in maroon, to be encouraged as he travelled back on the N17.
Sammon’s post-match appraisal was fair. “We are very relieved. I think we would have settled for a draw there after 70 minutes, but in fairness we got a break in midfield, and got the ball forward and got a point.
“Once we had the ball up this side of the field I felt that we would win it, but Sligo must be very disappointed because they were certainly deserving of a draw. They missed quite a number of chances in the second half, while we had very limited supply up front.
“We are certainly glad to be out of here, there is no doubt about it. We have a huge task ahead of ourselves in the Connacht final, we have a lot of work to do in the next few weeks.”
So stylish early on, with Seán Armstrong clipping points, it appeared as if Galway would cruise to a facile success. Twenty five minutes in they led 0-8 to 0-2, and all of Sammon’s gambits seemed to be working a treat.
Gareth Bradshaw ventured from wing back to telling effect, assisting a forward unit blessed with plenty of craft, while midfielder Paul Conroy was drilling delightful deliveries from deep.
All appeared rosy for Galway, but Sligo stirred themselves, the crowd began to roar, and suddenly the match was full of bite and bark. The first signs of the natives’ defiance came when Mark Breheny kicked two points in a row, the second following a daring Johnny Davey break. Then Ross Donovan scampered into attack and nailed a beauty, and when Davey banged over another point the deficit had been reduced to 0-8 to 0-6 at the break.
Emboldened by the defiant manner in which they concluded the opening period, it was no surprise Sligo were similarly enthusiastic when the action recommenced. Galway’s full-back line of Damien Burke, Finian Hanley, and Niall Coyne were being kept honest as Sligo thundered into the contest.
David Kelly and Adrian Marren landed scores to bring Sligo back on terms, and from there to the finish the combat was simply about heart and honesty.
The game was losing shape with the dismissals of Sligo’s Niall Ewing and Galway’s Gary O’Donnell after 46 and 48 minutes respectively increasing the tension. Ewing was red-carded for barging into his NUIG college buddy Armstrong, which earned him a second yellow card.
O’Donnell, who had toiled diligently alongside the elegant Conroy was then sent off by referee Derek Fahy following an altercation with Davey. Happy that numerical parity had been restored, the crowd were gripped as Sligo examined Galway’s resolve as the match entered a crucial stage.
Twice Galway moved two points ahead, but the Sligo riposte was determined each time with youngsters David Kelly and substitute Stephen Coen prominent.
Level in the last minute, Galway were sufficiently composed to craft an opportunity for Joe Bergin, who delivered a precise shot despite being ushered away from the posts. Armed with the advantage, Galway subsequently closed the deal when Pádraic Joyce had the savvy to pinch Davey’s pocket under the stand.
Joyce turned and spotted Armstrong loitering with intent inside, the subsequent pass was immaculate. Armstrong evaded Philip Greene’s despairing dive before making the Sligo net dance, and Galway gleefully celebrated a win that was hard-earned.
Walsh is having an impact in the north west, and on this evidence, Sligo have the potential to disturb any team in the qualifiers.
Mayo’s ruthlessness against Roscommon will be documented in Galway during the next few weeks, and Sammon will have plenty to mull over. Still four decades spent as a teacher ensure Sammon is well-versed in problem-solving, and when the bluebloods of the Connacht game collide the possibilities are ceaseless.
GALWAY: 1 A Faherty; 2 D Burke, 3 F Hanley, 4 N Coyne; 7 D Meehan, 6 D Blake, 5 G Bradshaw (0-1); 8 P Conroy, 9 G O'Donnell; 15 M Clancy, 11 P Joyce (0-3), 12 J Bergin(0-1); 13 S Armstrong (1-3), 14 M Meehan (0-4, one free), 10 C Bane (0-1, free). Subs: 23 JJ Greaney for Clancy (17 mins), 21 N Coleman for Greaney (36 mins), 18 G Sice for D Meehan (44 mins), 20 B Cullinane for Bane (57 mins), 17 K Fitzgerald for Hanley (60 mins). Yellow Card: J Bergin (39). Red Card: G O'Donnell (48).
SLIGO: 1 P Greene; 2 C Harrison, 3 N McGuire, 6 N Ewing; 5 M McNamara, 4 R Donovan (0-1), 7 J Davey (0-1); 8 E Mullen, 9 T Taylor; 14 M Breheny (0-2, one free), 11 A Costello, 12 S Davey (0-1); 13 D Kelly (0-4,two frees, one 45), 10 E O'Hara, 15 A Marren (0-2, two frees). Subs: K Sweeney for Davey (30 mins), P. McGovern for Harrison (36 mins), 24 S Coen (0-1)for Marren (51 mins). Yellow cards: N Ewing (44 and 46), E O'Hara (39), M McNamara (59), N McGuire (70) Red card: N Ewing.
Attendance: 11,144.
Referee: D Fahy(Longford).
