Galway 3-20
Sligo 2-14
Daragh Small reports from Markievicz Park
CILLIAN MCDAID GAVE a stunning performance for Galway as they claimed their 19th EirGrid GAA Football U-21 Connacht Championship title with an extra-time win over Sligo at Markievicz Park.
Alan McLoughlin scored the first-half goal and Sligo led 1-7 to 0-5 at half-time but Galway used the breeze to exact damage after the break.
Michael Daly goaled two minutes after half-time, but Kyle Cawley scored a late penalty and the game went to extra-time when Liam Gaughan slotted a 66th minute free. However in extra-time Galway pushed on, and substitute Sean Kelly scored two goals to seal the win.
Sligo made a fast start, to hold a 0-3 to 0-0 lead after Patrick O’Connor scored in the fifth minute. They had the wind at their backs but missed two goal opportunities from Gaughan and Stephen Connolly.
However McLoughlin hit the net in the tenth minute when he pounced on the rebounded save from a Cawley effort. Sligo led 1-7 to 0-2 but Galway hit the last three points of the half.
Points from Peter Cooke, Colin Brady and Rob Finnerty meant they trailed by double-scores at the break.
But the deficit was whittled down after half-time, and Daly’s 32nd minute goal brought them right back into.
When Cein D’Arcy scored ten minutes later Galway led for the first time, but they were hauled back when Cawley netted a penalty in the 57th minute.
And even though Rob Finnerty looked to have given Galway the win, Gaughan sent it into extra-time.
Nevertheless Galway held their heads and Kelly fisted two goals in the first-half of extra-time. They led 3-19 to 2-14 at half-time and Cein D’Arcy finished things off for Galway.
Scorers for Galway: Sean Kelly 2-1, Rob Finnerty 0-6 (0-4f), Michael Daly 1-2, Cillian McDaid 0-3, Cein D’Arcy 0-3, Peter Cooke 0-2 (0-1f), Colin Brady 0-1, Antaine O Laoi 0-1, Eoin Finnerty 0-1.
Scorers for Sligo: Kyle Cawley 1-2 (1-0 pen), Alan McLoughlin 1-2, Patrick O’Connor 0-5 (0-3f), Liam Gaughan 0-4 (0-2f), Jason Perry 0-1.
Galway
1. Ronan O Beolain (Micheal Breathnach)
2. Liam Kelly (An Spideal)
3. Sean Andy O Ceallaigh (Leitir Mor)
4. Ruairi Greene (Killannin)
5. Kieran Molloy (Corofin)
6. Dylan McHugh (Corofin)
7. Cillian McDaid (Monivea-Abbey)
11. Michael Daly (Mountbellew-Moylough)
8. Peter Cooke (Moycullen)
10. Antaine O Laoi (An Spideal)
9. Colm Brennan (Oileain Arainn)
12. Colin Brady (Corofin)
13. Robert Finnerty (Salthill-Knocknacarra)
14. Paul Mannion (Kilconly)
15. Dessie Conneely (Moycullen)
Subs
18. Sean Kelly (Moycullen) for O Laoi (26)
20. Cein D’Arcy (Caherlistrane) for Brennan (31)
21. Eoin Finnerty (Mountbellew-Moylough) for Brady (33)
23. Eric Lee (Oughterard) for P Mannion (39)
22. Michael Boyle (Killererin) for Conneely (51)
16. Cormac Haslam (Glenamaddy) for O Beolain (56)
24. Colm Mannion (Mountbellew-Moylough) for Kelly (75)
17. Padraic O Curraoin (An Spideal) for Molloy (77)
19. William Finnerty (Salthill/Knocknacarra) for McDaid (78).
Sligo
1. Daniel Cafferkey (Bunninadden)
2. Eddie McGuinness (Tubbercurry)
3. Luke Nicholson (St Mary’s)
4. Michael Gordon (Easkey)
8. Darragh Cummins (Calry/St Joseph’s)
6. Paul McNamara (St John’s)
7. Sean Power (Drumcliffe/Rosses Point)
9. Paul Kilcoyne (St Mary’s)
14. Paddy O’Connor (St Farnan’s)
12. Stephen Connolly (Coolaney/Mullinabreena)
5. Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch (St Mary’s)
15. Jodie O’Reilly (Geevagh)
11. Liam Gaughan (Tourlestrane)
10. Alan McLoughlin (St Molaise Gaels)
13. Kyle Cawley (St Mary’s)
Subs
23. Sean Carrbine (Castleconnor) for Connolly (37)
17. Nathan Mullen (Coolaney/Mullinabreena) for Cummins (44)
21. Jason Perry (Tubbercurry) for McLoughlin (58)
20. Kevin Banks (Coolera Strandhill) for Nicholson (61)
8. Darragh Cummins (Calry/St Joseph’s) for Kilcoyne (64)
18. Brian Mahon (Owenmore Gaels) for McGuinness (64)
25. Dillon Kilgallon (St Mary’s) for O’Kelly-Lynch (68)
Referee: Paddy Neilan (Roscommon)
Tell DEL that he is to ask his father about the Cavan Bull!!!