By DARREN KELLY

AFTER their Connacht championship aspirations were derailed by Mayo two weeks ago, Galway’s minor footballers will look to repeat last year’s trick starting Saturday when they take on Derry in the All-Ireland quarter-final (Páirc Sean Mac Diarmada, Carrick-on-Shannon, 3:30pm).

An unfancied maroon and white weren’t given a chance against Dublin at this stage in 2022.  But they used that as a springboard for three victories and All-Ireland glory.

Derry were their semi-final victims and the two counties renew rivalries again after the Oak Leafers’ Ulster success (on penalties) over Monaghan. And both teams have survivors from that encounter ensuring another intriguing chapter in a budding rivalry.

Galway have suffered a major blow with confirmation that forwards Jack Heneghan (who missed the Connacht Final) and Sean Walsh (who went off with a knee injury) are out. The duo have shared 3-9 in the championship so far and will leave manager Alan Glynn with gaps to fill up front.

“Unfortunately the two lads are probably more long-term than short-term injured now,” said Glynn during the week. “We have to take the absence of the lads and give opportunities to other lads for them to show what they can do and make a really significant contribution.

“We’ll have six really good forwards playing for Galway on Saturday and we’ll expect them to work really hard. And we’ll expect them to take on their man and be dangerous. And I’d be very confident of whatever six that we put out will do that job for us.”

Charlie Cox’s experience from 2022 will be vital and he has scored 1-14 in five championship games this season, followed closely by Ciaran Mulhern (0-13). Daniel Fitzmaurice (1-3), Ciaran McDonagh (0-5) and Mikey Mulryan (1-2) are other likely starters.

Galway’s goal against Mayo was provided by substitute Fionán Ó Conghaile, and assisted by Stephen O’Grady – two other players who will give the management a welcome headache.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

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