Sligo 2-9

Galway 2-8

By DARREN KELLY IN MARKIEVICZ PARK

JUST like their heroic run in 2022, Galway’s current under-20s will need to do things the hard way after suffering their second defeat in this year’s Connacht championship last Wednesday evening.

Dillon Walsh, who struck the winner in the 2023 decider, returned to haunt Galway with his 62nd minute score proving the difference, giving the Yeats men their first win and leaving the maroon and white’s season hanging by a thread.

Quite simply, Galway had to beat Roscommon last night (Wednesday, Tuam Stadium, 6.30pm) in their final group game to ensure at least third place and a semi-final in a fortnight’s time.

They won’t do that based on this performance, their third consecutive week in action. While some decisions from Roscommon official Dermot Junior Lyons didn’t go their way, Galway never reached the heights expected and were always in danger of leaving this game behind.

We must remember this is the All-Ireland minor class from three years ago. Eight of that winning team started, Stephen Curley and Jack Lonergan came off the bench, and midfielder Shay McGlinchey is injured. They lost three matches that year so they won’t panic.

That being said, Galway’s task could have been much easier if they left Sligo successfull. And despite the home side going down 1-16 to 0-10 to Roscommon seven days previously, they looked up for this as Ronan Niland landed a two-point free in the second minute.

It was the perfect start for Paul Henry’s side showing five changes from their first outing. Connor Flynn was a late withdrawal but started this game and kept his balance to float over another score leaving it 0-3 to 0-0 on six minutes.

While Galway were getting plenty of possession, they were playing second fiddle in the middle third and laboured to create scoring chances. That being said a strong half back line of Ross Coen, Mark Mannion and Seán O’Connor, coupled with Vinnie Gill, ensured they remained competitive.

Mannion started the move that included Coen, Patrick Keaney and Gill setting up Éanna Monaghan for their first score on 12 minutes. Colm Costello helped Mikey Mulryan add another, before Mannion was provider again to allow Monaghan level the sides on the quarter hour.

Galway looked to be assuming control but against the run of play, O’Connor was dispossessed and Sligo countered.  Tommy Ross, Dara Mostyn and Flynn were involved resulting in Niland shaking off Gill before blasting to the net.

Pictured: Galway U-20 football manager Derek Savage who admitted his team were “flat” in last Wednesday’s Connacht Championship U-20 loss to Sligo at Markievicz Park.