Connacht MFC Galway 2-7 Leitrim 1-9 A powerful performance by Galway's Shane Hogan helped his county to a one point success over Leitrim in a Connacht minor football championship semi-final played at Pearse stadium yesterday afternoon.

Leitrim had established a 0-3 to 0-2 lead by the 16th minute, however a minute later the eventual winners' Hogan drilled the ball past Leitrim goalkeeper Cathal McCrann and into the net from all of 27 metres.

Hogan was to have his second goal on 22 minutes, Galway's other scorer in this opening half was Sean Armstrong. This left the half-time score at 2-6 to 0-4 in favour of the home side.

Galway's only score after the resumption was through their corner-forward, Armstrong.

Leitrim's goal scorer was Ronan O'Rourke, when it arrived in the 36th minute.

Damian O'Donnell, Leitrim's full forward, had a very good second half as he scored three points.

But ultimately those scores were not enough to stem the tide against the Tribesmen, who now take their place in the Connacht final.

GALWAY: B Donnellan; K McGrath, F Hanley, M Flannery; N Coyne, O Kelly, T Goggins; N Coleman, C Blake; S Hogan (2-3), A Callanan, C De Paor; R Hogan, F Breathnach, S Armstrong (0-4). Subs: J Meehan for R Hogan ( 37 mins), J Canney for A Callanan (45 mins).

LEITRIM: C McCrann; L Ferguson, B Butler, G Farrelly; P McWeeney, B Prior, D Beck; N Nash (0-1), S McGourty; D Gibbons (0-1), D Gilhooley (0-3), R O'Rourke (1-0); W Gilgunn, D O'Donnell (0-4), D Maguire. Subs: A O'Flynn for G Farrelly (41 mins). F Sharpley for D Gilhooley (41 mins), B Guckian for R O'Rourke (45 mins).

Referee: P Carney (Roscommon)