Sharp-shooter Maughan fires minor footballers into provincial decider

Galway 0-13Sligo 0-9

Cían Nihill

The Galway minors are back in the Connacht football final for the first time in three years after overcoming Sligo in a sunny Pearse Stadium on Sunday.

Led by an inspired Shane Maughan at corner forward, the Tribesmen were the better side on the day and fully deserved their four point winning margin.

It was an excellent win for Gerry Fahy and his management team, particularly considering the undeniable talent in the Sligo panel, evident by the success enjoyed by the county’s school teams of Summerhill and St Attracta’s who reached this year’s Connacht ‘A’ and All-Ireland ‘B’ colleges’ finals respectively.

Apart from Maughan’s final tally of seven points, the basis for the Galway win was provided by an outstanding performance by their impressive full back line of Philip Ezergalis, James Shaughnessy and Colm Mac Donnacha.

The Sligo half-forward line dropped very deep, leaving huge space in front of a  two man full forward line of Niall Murphy and Patrick Heraghty.

As a result, Shaughnessy and Mac Donnacha were  left exposed on a number of occasions but won nearly every long ball played in by Sligo, while Ezergalis thrived in the roaming role he was forced to play while covering his man.

The match started with a strong wind blowing towards the Sligo goal and it was to prove a major factor throughout the 60 minutes. Both teams got an early indication of this when Sligo’s goalkeeper, Vincent Cadden failed to clear the 45 metre line with his first two kicks.Galway midfielder Thomas Flynn laid down an early marker, fielding some excellent ball from those hanging kick outs.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.