Galway leave Sligo with regrets after late loss in April sunshine
By Darren Kelly
THE knockout stages of the Connacht U-20 Football Championship have come two weeks early for Galway following a second defeat last week away to Sligo.
It’s not all doom and gloom for Derek Savage’s charges, though. They host Roscommon this evening (Wednesday) at Tuam Stadium at 6.30pm in their final game of the round-robin series. Victory will ensure a top-three finish and a place in the semi-final.
Galway’s effort must significantly improve as they line out for a fourth Wednesday in succession. The early stages of their encounter with Sligo showed a sense of tiredness despite management making three changes from the loss to Mayo.
However, this is the All-Ireland winning minor class of 2022 who suffered three defeats on their way to national glory, so they won’t panic.
Sligo went down to Roscommon (1-16 to 0-10) in their opening match, and they started brightly last Wednesday evening in Markievicz Park against Galway with Ronan Niland converting a two-point free.
Connor Flynn, who missed the Roscommon fixture, kept his balance to add another score for Paul Henry’s team leaving it 0-3 to 0-0 on six minutes.
Galway were getting plenty of possession but struggled in the middle third. Centre-back Mark Mannion started the move that concluded with Éanna Monaghan getting Galway off the mark on 12 minutes, before Mikey Mulryan and Monaghan again levelled affairs.
Against the run of play, Niland finished a five-player move for Sligo’s first goal on 16 minutes.
It was a blow but the visitors responded immediately as Ross Coen played a one-two with Patrick Keaney before sending a ball behind the defence for Ryan O’Donnell to get Galway’s first green flag.
The momentum gained from that goal was quelled straight afterwards when Galway captain Colm Costello was black carded.
Sligo replied with points for Eamon O’Mahony and Dillon Walsh, but Galway trailed by one at the break having played against the wind. Coen troubled the umpires to leave it 1-5 to 1-4.
Galway didn’t take advantage of the elements after the restart even though Mulryan set up Seán Dunne and Costello with points. Walsh, Michael Sheridan and a Niland free left Sligo 1-8 to 1-6 ahead on 37 minutes.
Galway were struggling for scores, and some breaks from the match referee. They created a .....
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