Connacht SFC: Galway survive Leitrim scare

Connacht SFC Semi-Final

Galway 1-20 Leitrim 2-12

By Billy Coss at Heartland Credit Union Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada

They had a 10-point lead whittled down to just three inside the closing quarter, but Galway ultimately steadied the ship in the face of Leitrim's heroic second half showing in Carrick-on-Shannon.

Though Leitrim hadn't tasted victory against Galway in championship football since the season of their second and last provincial title in 1994, they were firmly in contention to produce the shock of the season and bridge that gap with a stirring fightback.

Goals from Oisín McLoughlin and Jack Kelly along with two-pointers from 'keeper Killian Gaffey, Barry McNulty and Paul Honeyman were the centrepiece of their challenge.

But with some of the heavy lifting done in the first half, Dylan McHugh netting their only goal, and Shane Walsh making an impact on his introduction, Galway weathered the storm to reach an 11th Connacht final in succession.

Two-pointers from Paul Conroy, Robert Finnerty and Liam Ó Conghaile helped the Tribesmen build an 0-11 to 0-4 lead in a low-quality opening half that was littered with below-par finishing.

Coming off their against-the-odds win over Sligo, Leitrim's chances appeared remote after an early Riordan O'Rourke point was their sole score from play in the half with frees coming from Ben Guckian and 'keeper Killian Gaffey from two-point range.

Eight points divided the teams early in the second half in front of the 4,843 attendance at Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada. That was before Barry McNulty converted a two-point free and Oisín McLoughlin turned home the rebound after Connor Gleeson parried Ryan O'Rourke's 46th penalty.

Leitrim were within striking distance trailing by 0-12 to 1-6 and also had the benefit of an extra man following Galway 'keeper Conor Flaherty's black card.

Yet, the home side were soon reduced to 14 when Mark Diffley was sent to the sin-bin as Galway regained the initiative and surged 1-17 to 1-7 in front by the 58th minute with Dylan McHugh palming home their goal after Damien Comer and Sean Kelly were involved in the build-up.

With their margin in double-digits, the Nestor Cup holders looked safe again. But Leitrim rallied once more and were back in contention by the 61st minute after Jack Kelly applied the finishing touch to McLoughlin's pass for their second goal. Riordan O'Rourke and Gaffey, via a 45, were also on target while Paul Honeyman kicked a two in a run of 1-4 without answer as the scoreline stood at 1-17 to 2-11.

A major upset looked a live possibility, but with Shane Walsh and Robert Finnerty scores releasing the pressure valve, Galway held firm in the closing minutes to reach a provincial decider.

Scorers for Galway: Robert Finnerty 0-4 (1tp, 2f); Paul Conroy (1tp), Shane Walsh (2f) and Liam Ó Conghaile (1tp) 0-3 each; Dylan McHugh 1-0; Cillian McDaid 0-2; Sean Kelly, Shane McGrath, John Maher, Finnian Ó Laoi and John Daly 0-1 each.

Scorers for Leitrim: Oisín McLoughlin 1-1; Killian Gaffey 0-3 (1tpf, 145); Jack Kelly 1-0; Riordan O'Rourke, Barry McNulty (tpf) and Paul Honeyman (tp) 0-2 each; B Guckian (f) and Ryan O'Rourke (f) 0-1 each.

Galway: Conor Flaherty, Johnny McGrath, Séan Fitzgerald, Séan Ó Maoilchiaráin; Dylan McHugh, Liam Silke, John Daly; Céin D'Arcy, John Maher; Paul Conroy, Finnian Ó Laoi, Cillian McDaid; Robert Finnerty, Oisín Mac Donnacha, Liam Ó Conghaile.

Subs: Shane Walsh for Mac Donnacha (41), Shane McGrath for Ó Laoi (41), Connor Gleeson for Ó Conghaile (46), Seán Kelly for Johnny McGrath (temporary, 55), Damien Comer for Flaherty (56), Maitias Eoin Bairéad for McDaid (61).

Leitrim: Killian Gaffey; Cillian McGloin, Seán Harkin, Conor Reynolds; Eoin McLoughlin, Mark Diffley, Keith Keegan; Conor Quinn, Barry McNulty; Fergal McLoughlin, Riordan O'Rourke, Tom Prior; Oisín McLoughlin, Ben Guckian, Ryan O'Rourke.

Subs: Paul Honeyman for Guckian (44), Jack Kelly for Fergal McLoughlin (51), Kieran Clancy for Harkin (53), Eanna McNamara for McGloin (54), Michael McKiernan for Quinn (66).

Referee: Niall Cullen (Fermanagh).