Rescinding of Kelly’s controversial red card is big lift for Galway footballers

And the availability of team captain Seán Kelly for Saturday’s All-Ireland football semi-final against Derry (5:30pm) represents a big boost to Galway’s hopes.

Kelly had his suspension for “contributing to a melee” at the end of normal time against Armagh in last month’s All-Ireland quarter-final quickly lifted on appeal.

The Moycullen clubman could clearly be seen acting as a peacemaker during that ugly fracas, making his red card ahead of extra-time baffling.

With Kelly available and no fresh injuries to report, Galway will be optimistic of maintaining their unblemished record against Derry in the championship.

The second All-Ireland semi-final between the sport’s two traditional superpowers, Kerry and Dublin, will take centre stage at Croke Park the following afternoon.

In what is a huge weekend for Galway football, the county’s resilient minors – under the management of St Michael’s clubman Alan Glynn – will be striving to complete a major championship resurrection at Hyde Park tonight (Friday, 7:15pm).

Having lost three times in the Connacht campaign, it was difficult to envisage the minors salvaging their season, but they have defied the odds with knock-out wins over both Dublin and Derry in the All-Ireland series.

Tonight, under the TG4 cameras, Galway will be striving to gain revenge on a talented Mayo team which has already beaten them twice in the provincial championship.

There’s also a crunch game facing the Galway ladies footballers in Tullamore tomorrow (Saturday, 7.15pm) when they throw down the gauntlet to last year’s shock All-Ireland champions Meath in the quarter-finals.