Time runs out on Galway's top attacker for Sligo test

Date Published: {J}

Frank Farragher

DESPITE a return to full training over the past week, it seems unlikely that star forward Michael Meehan will ‘get the start’ for Galway against Sligo in Sunday’s Connacht semi-final (2pm) in Pearse Stadium.

The Caltra scoring machine has been out of action with knee ligament trouble since having to retire injured from the league match against Kerry in Pearse Stadium last April.

However the injury has responded well to treatment, resulting in Meehan returning to full training over the past week – however given his lack of match practice and sharpness, it seems unlikely that he will be named in the starting fifteen.Meehan though is certain to be on  the

bench for the clash with an in-form Sligo side – fairly buoyed up by their 0-15 to 1-8 Connacht semi-final victory over Mayo – and it seems likely that he will be introduced at some stage over the 70 minutes.

Definitely ruled out for Galway is Corofin defender Damien Burke, who is receiving treatment for a groin injury, which is expected to keep him out of competitive action for the next few weeks.

Moycullen’s Gareth Bradshaw, however, has been given the all-clear and is back to full fitness, taking part in a trial match at Pearse Stadium on Sunday last. Niall Coleman is also troubled by an ankle injury but is hoping to be passed fit for Sunday.

Four players have departed from the Galway panel over the past fortnight – goalkeeper Paul Doherty, defender Niall Coyne, midfielder Barry Cullinane and forward Damien Dunleavy.

Word from the Sligo camp is that there is unlikely to many, if any, changes from the side that Mayo so convincingly in the first round clash at Markievicz Park the weekend before last.

It was a committed and lively display from Kevin Walsh’s side who will also have received a confidence boost with their Connacht final junior success over Galway a couple of weeks back.

Galway manager Joe Kernan told The Sentinel that the New York match had been put behind them – it had proven to be a very tough encounter but in the end, his side had secured the result they wanted.“I suppose some people forget that we were down about seven players before we left, mostly due to exams and injuries. A combination of factors just didn’t go our way in the run-up to that match,” said Kernan.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.