EirGrid Connacht Under 21 Football Championship Quarter-Final

GALWAY 4-10 LEITRIM 2-12

By Cian O'Connell at Tuam Stadium

Galway survived a spirited second half rally from Leitrim to set up an intriguing Eirgid Connacht Under 21 Semi-Final encounter with All Ireland champions Mayo.

A bizarre match unfolded in Tuam with Galway accumulating a 19 point advantage which was cut down to four in the closing stages.

With Michael Daly and Peter Cooke prominent at centrefield Galway took control reeling off 4-8 on the spin following an early Ryan O’Rourke point for Leitrim.

Gerry Fahy’s team responded with Robert Finnerty quickly registering 1-2 including a sweet palmed goal in the sixth minute.

Dessie Conneely, Galway minor captain last year, added an opportunistic major, while Eoin Finnerty and Cillian McDaid also rattled the Leitrim net.

The visitors finally terminated a 25 minute search for a score when Robbie Cunningham landed a point, but Galway went in 4-8 to 0-2 ahead at the interval despite the dismissal of Kieran Molloy for a second bookable offence.

There was plenty to admire about how Galway dealt with the challenge of Leitrim, Connacht Minor League winners three years ago, who arrived quietly confident about their chances.

Unsurprisingly Leitrim improved when the action recommenced with a flurry of points from Conor Gaffney, Keith Beirne (2), and Mark Plunkett before Dean McGovern bundled over a 39th minute goal.

While Keith Keegan was sent off for Leitrim for a second yellow card offence Brendan Guckian’s charges  continued to narrow the gap.

In the 52nd minute Beirne fisted a goal for Leitrim with Jack Heslin kicking a point moments later as Leitrim only trailed by 4-8 to 2-10.

Galway got their first score of the second half four minutes from time when Conneely wriggled free to rifle over a crucial point. It was a vital intervention as Galway held on.

Scorers for Galway: Robert Finnerty and Dessie Conneely 1-2 each, Cillian McDaid and Eoin Finnerty 1-0 each, Paul Mannion 0-2, Colin Brady, Peter Cooke, Michael Daly (sideline) 0-1 each.

**Scorers for Leitrim: **Keith Beirne 1-4 (4fs), Dean McGovern 1-0, Mark Plunkett and Jack Heslin 0-2 each, Ryan O’Rourke, Robbie Cunningham, Conor Cullen, and Conor Gaffney 0-1 each.

**GALWAY: **Ronan O’Beolain; Liam Kelly, Dylan McHugh, Ruairi Greene; Sean O’Ceallaigh, Sean Andy O’Ceallaigh, Kieran Molloy; Peter Cooke, Michael Daly; Colin Brady, Paul Mannion, Cillian McDaid; Robert Finnerty, Eoin Finnerty, Dessie Conneely.

Subs: Conor Tarpey for Sean O’Ceallaigh (27), Colm Brennan for Peter Cooke (44), Cein Darcy for Eoin Finnerty (46), Antaine O’Laoi for Conor Tarpey (50), Michael Boyle for Robert Finnerty (57), Colm Mannion for Cillian McDaid (59).

LEITRIM: Jack Burke; James Mitchell, Keith Keegan, Liam Ryan; Donal Feely, Brian Leyden, Oisin Madden; Dean McGovern, Mark Plunkett; Jack Heslin, Conor Dolan, Conor Gaffney; Ryan O’Rourke, Keith Beirne, Robbie Cunningham.

**Subs: **Conor Cullen for Ryan O’Rourke (7), Pearce Dolan for Donal Feely (19), Niall McGovern for Conor Dolan (27).

**REFEREE: **Paddy Neilan (Roscommon).