Connacht FBD League: Galway finish strongly

Connacht FBD League

Galway 2-19 Leitrim 0-14

By Billy Coss at Tuam Stadium

Matthew Thompson starred in his final appearance for Galway until mid-May by shooting 2-6 in this afternoon's come-from-behind victory over Leitrim in the FBD Connacht Football League.

The Salthill-Knocknacarra clubman, who was nominated for an All-Star following a breakout 2025, departs for the University of California, Berkeley on Wednesday and will miss the county's National League and Connacht campaigns.

Though the final margin stood at 11 points at Tuam Stadium, Galway trailed by 0-10 to 1-4 at the interval and 0-13 to 1-9 approaching the three-quarter mark. They were dominant from there on, outscoring Leitrim by 1-10 to 0-1.

Leitrim overcame the concession of Thompson's first goal in the second minute with 'keeper Killian Gaffey their chief score getter, kicking three first half frees from outside the arc. Points from Éanna McNamara, Jack Kelly and the O'Rourkes, Ryan and Riordan, rounded out a strong opening half from Steven Poacher's side.

Caltra duo Mikey Mulryan and Alan Naughton were on target twice for Galway during the first 30 minutes, and though Thompson and Cillian Ó Curraoin sent over two-pointers, it remained advantage Leitrim in the 43rd minute thanks to Conor Quinn, Tom Prior and Kelly scores.

A Shane McGrath-won and Thompson-converted penalty proved the game's hinge moment in the 45th minute. Galway never looked back from there as Kieran Molloy, their captain on the day, Brian Cogger, McGrath, Oisín Mac Donnacha, Jack O'Neill and Jack Nolan all pointed before Thomspon capped his outstanding individual performance with a late orange flag.

Early season silverware will be on offer in next weekend's FBD Cup final when the Tribesmen meet the winner of tomorrow's clash between Roscommon and Mayo. Leitrim go forward to the competition's Plate final with London before starting their Division 4 campaign away to Wicklow.

Scorers for Galway: Matthew Thompson 2-6 (1-0 pen, 2tp, 1f), Mikey Mulryan, Alan Naughton (1f), Kieran Molloy (tp), Cillian Ó Curraoin (tpf) 0-2 each, Brian Cogger, Shane McGrath, Oisín Mac Donnacha, Jack O'Neill and Jack Nolan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Leitrim: Killian Gaffey 0-6 (3tpf), Tom Prior and Jack Kelly 0-2 each, Riordan O’Rourke, Ryan O’Rourke, Éanna McNamara and Conor Quinn 0-1 each.

Galway: Conor Flaherty; Michael Moughan, Conor Carson, Aaron Kavanagh; Dara Heneghan, Cian Hernon, Brian Cogger; Kieran Molloy, Conal Gallagher; Liam Costello, Matthew Thompson, Mikey Mulryan; Alan Naughton, Charlie Power, Cillian Ó Curraoin.

Subs: Maitias Eoin Bairéad for Hernon (30), Shay McGlinchey for Gallagher (30), Oisín Mac Donnacha for Naughton (30), Shane McGrath for Liam Costello (38), Colm Costello for Ó Curraoin (41), Darragh Burke for Heneghan (41), Jack Folan for Kavanagh (45), Jack Nolan for Power (48), Jack O'Neill for Mulryan (53).

Leitrim: Killian Gaffey; Conor Reynolds, Kieran Clancy, Seán Harkin; Éanna McNamara, James Rooney, Donal Feely; Conor Quinn, Mark Diffley; Fergal McLoughlin, Riordan O’Rourke, Tom Prior; Oisín McLoughlin, Ryan O’Rourke (captain), Ruairí O’Rourke.

Subs: David Feeney for Quinn (temporary, 18-20) & Quinn (39), Eoin McLoughlin for Reynolds (21), Evan Harkin for Ryan O'Rourke (30), Jack Kelly for Ruairí O’Rourke (30), Ben Guckian for Oisín McLoughlin (39), Peter Prior for McNamara (44), Bailey McBride for Feely (48), Hugh Clancy for Riordan O'Rourke (50), Tom Plunkett for Fergal McLoughlin (50), Fergal McLoughlin for Eoin McLoughlin (temporary, 61-63).

Referee: Jimmy Donoghue (Roscommon).