Connacht U20FC Final: Roscommon storm to victory

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EirGrid Connacht U20 Football Final

ROSCOMMON 3-13 GALWAY 0-17

Kevin Egan at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park

The Allianz League final between Derry and Dublin has been hailed as the game of the year so far, but this evening’s Eirgrid Connacht U-20 final will certainly be spoken about in the same vein among anyone who tuned into TG4 to watch it. Even more so in Roscommon, who now advance to meet Tyrone next Saturday evening in Kingspan Breffni Park after second half goals from Niall O’Donnell, Shane McGinley and Ryan Dowling saw them through a classic encounter in Castlebar.

At half-time, the contest was still in the balance with Galway holding a narrow two-point lead, but the wind was set to favour the Tribesmen in the second half, and since they had responded brilliantly to the concession of the first four points of the game to build up that 0-8 to 0-6 advantage, it felt like momentum might also be enough to push Derek Savage’s side over the line.

However this year’s Connacht U-20 championship has been a rollercoaster ride from start to finish, and it was never going to be as simple as that. Roscommon ended the first half with man of the match Shane McGinley turning his man and pushing a goal chance just wide of Eamon McGrath’s far post. When he got turned and facing for goal from the left corner in the first minute of the second half, this time he floated the ball across to the far post, where Niall O’Donnell was waiting to slam the ball into the net.

So began a thrilling 30 minutes of play, in which both sides produced some outstanding scores, but Roscommon’s ability to find the net proved to be the difference. The points that Galway struck from players like Matthew Thompson, Fionn MacDonnacha and in particular Jack Mullen were right out of the top drawer, but Roscommon’s bench impact was crucial, with Ethan O’Reilly and Ryan Dowling making match-winning impacts.

The injection of energy from O’Reilly was palpable on the field and as the game teetered on the edge with Galway drawing level but never hitting the front, he helped set up some vital scores for Shane McGinley and Rob Heneghan.

Ryan Dowling, just like Galway’s Ross Coen before him, turned his first possession into a magnificent solo point, and he also finished off the match-clinching third goal in the first minute of injury time, a score that turned a three-point lead into six, forcing Galway to chase Hail Mary high balls into the Roscommon box for the last four minutes of added time.

In between, Shane McGinley crowned his man of the match display with a neat finish giving Roscommon just enough breathing room to hold on.

McGinley was also on the scoresheet when Roscommon exploded out of the blocks in the opening minutes, firing over four points with their first five possessions, while denying Galway a shot on goal with each of their first five. Rory Hester and Senan Lambe also hoisted excellent kicks over the bar, but when Galway struck back, they did so with speed and precision.

Jack Mullen, fresh from his heroics in the semi-final against Sligo on the same field duly split the uprights with two tricky attempts from out on the right hand side, while Colm Costello also struck twice to level up the game.

Roscommon hit the next two points but again Galway struck four in a row before the interval, and it seemed like the foundations were laid for Galway’s first provincial title since 2020.

Little did we realise, things were just getting warmed up.

Scorers for Roscommon: Shane McGinley 1-6 (0-3f, 0-1m), Ryan Dowling 1-2, Niall O’Donnell 1-1, Rory Hester 0-1, Senan Lambe 0-1, Bobby Nugent 0-1m, Rob Heneghan 0-1.

Scorers for Galway: Jack Mullen 0-4, Matthew Thompson 0-4 (0-2f), Fionn Mac Donnacha 0-3 (0-1m), Colm Costello 0-3 (0-1f), Mark Mannion 0-1, Shay McGlinchey 0-1, Ross Coen 0-1.

ROSCOMMON: Seán Allen; Eden Kerins, James Connolly, Eoghan Carthy; Senan Lambe, Dan Casey, James McGreal; Conor Harley, Conor Ryan; Rory Hester, Dan Hagney, Rob Heneghan; Shane McGinley, Niall O’Donnell, Bobby Nugent.

Subs: Ethan O’Reilly for McGreal (half-time), Ryan Dowling for Hagney (46), Oisín O’Flaherty for Harley (51), Shane Walsh for O’Donnell (57), Rory Carthy for Hester (60).

GALWAY: Eamon McGrath; Darragh Costello, Brian Noone, Shane Canavan; Mark Mannion, Jack Lonergan, Jack Folan; Shay McGlinchey, Conor Heneghan; Ciarán Mulhern, Matthew Thompson, Cian Murphy; Jack Mullen, Fionn Mac Donnacha, Colm Costello.

Subs: Pádraic Godwin for Noone (28-29, temp), Daithi Kilcommons for Heneghan (half-time), Ross Coen for Folan (41), Ronan Colleran for C Costello (temp, 46-47), Luc O’Connor for Mannion (49), Ronan Colleran for Murphy (54), Niall Mannion for D Costello (60).

REFEREE: Liam Devenney (Mayo).

Match Day Information: Connacht SFC Final

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Galway v Mayo Connacht Senior Football Championship Final
Sunday May 5th 2024 in Pearse Stadium, Salthill, Galway
On behalf of Galway GAA and the Pearse Stadium Committee we welcome all GAA Supporters to Salthill today for the Galway v Mayo Connacht Senior Football Championship Final.
The game will attract a capacity attendance and will result in increased volumes of traffic in the Galway, Salthill and Pearse Stadium areas and we urge all Supporters to arrive early, in order to avoid traffic congestion and potential delays entering the Stadium.
This is an all ticket game and no tickets will be available to purchase at the grounds on the day. Tickets can be purchased on line and in Centra and SuperValu Supermarkets in advance of the game. Please have your tickets available for scanning as you approach the Stadium.
An Garda Síochana will implement a local area Traffic Management Plan from 1.00pm and this will result in a number of access roads in the residential areas adjacent to Pearse Stadium being closed.
It is important to note that only residents with some form of identification and those with Official Car Park Passes will be allowed access to those Residential areas.
Reminder also that there are ongoing traffic restrictions in operation in the Claddagh Quay area of the city adjacent to the Claddagh Church and patrons are advised to avoid this area after the game.
Turnstiles will be open for the Terraces at the Main Entrance on Rockbarton Road and Arus Bóthar na Trá on Dr. Mannix Road. Entry to the Stand is via the gates at the back of the stand.
All Gates will open at 2.30pm.
There are ample Car Parks in Galway City and Salthill and we encourage patrons to use these car parks and walk or take public transport to/from Salthill.
Car Parking will be available to the public at (Colaiste Éinde) St. Enda’s Secondary School on Threadneedle road. H91 X798 and at the Tennis Club also on Threadneedle Road. H91 E622
Again, we ask all Supporters to arrive early, to park in the designated Car Parks and to park legally and responsibly, at all times.
Finally, we appeal to all Supporters to be conscious, mindful and respectful to the needs of our neighbours and local residents.
In Summary:
1. Please ensure that you buy your ticket in advance! No Tickets for sale at ground
2. Please travel with care and arrive early
3. Please use designated Car Parks and park legally and responsibly.
4. Please be respectful and mindful of the needs of Local Residents
5. Enjoy the game
Thank You for your co-operation and your support.

Team News: Galway v Roscommon, Connacht U20 Football Final

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The Galway Team to face Roscommon in the Connacht GAA U20 Football Championship Final is announced

GALWAY V ROSCOMMON

Hastings Insurance MacHale Park

Saturday May 4th at 5.15pm

Match Tickets can be purchased here

Watch on Spórt TG4 YouTube, click here

Live score updates on our X feed via Whatsthescor App

Commentary on Galway Bay FM

Best of Luck to Derek Savage, team management and our U20 Footballers!

 

#riseofthetribes

#gaillimhabú

Team News: Galway v Mayo, Connacht SFC Final

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The Galway Senior Football Team to face Mayo on Sunday in the Connacht Senior Football Final is announced,

GALWAY V MAYO

Pearse Stadium at 4.00pm

Buy Match Tickets online in advance, click here

Watch Live on RTE TV.

Match Commentary on Galway Bay FM and RnaG

Live score updates via WhatstheScor App on our X feed

Best of Luck to Pádraic Joyce, Team Management and our Senior Football squad!

 

#riseofthetribes

#gaillimhabú

 

 

2024 All-Ireland SFC draw

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The draw took place for the All-Ireland SFC group stages on Tuesday afternoon.

Action is set to commence on May 18/19 with matches featuring the Connacht and Munster winners and runners-up.

The following week May 25/26 the Leinster and Ulster winners and runners-up will have their first group fixtures.

The top team in each group advances to the All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals. Counties finishing in second and third place will meet at the preliminary quarter-final stage.

Group 1: Connacht SFC Winner, Ulster SFC Runner-Up, Derry, Westmeath

Group 2: Leinster SFC Winner, Connacht SFC Runner-Up, Roscommon, Cavan

Group 3: Ulster SFC Winner, Munster SFC Runner-Up, Tyrone, Cork

Group 4: Munster SFC Winner, Leinster SFC Runner-Up, Monaghan, Meath

Round 1

18-19.05.2024 (Sat/Sun)

Seed 1 (Munster/Connacht Champions) v Seed 3

Seed 2 (Munster/Connacht Runners Up) v Seed 4

25-26.05.2024 (Sat/Sun)

Seed 1 (Leinster/Ulster Champions) v Seed 3

Seed 2 (Leinster/Ulster Runners Up) v Seed 4

(Seed 1 & 2 will have home venue)

Round 2

01-02.06.2024 (Sat/Sun)

Seed 3 v Seed 2

Seed 4 v Seed1

(Seed 3 & 4 will have home venue)

Round 3

15-16.06.2024 (Sat/Sun)

Seed 1 v Seed 2

Seed 3 v Seed 4

(Neutral venues)

Full fixture details will be confirmed by the C.C.C.C in due course.

Tickets for Connacht Senior Football Championship Final

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Connacht GAA Senior Football Championship Final
Tickets go on sale at 3.00 PM today 
 
Click here to purchase⤵️
Fixture Details
Galway v Mayo
Sunday May 5th 2024
Pearse Stadium at 4.00PM

The various prices for the match tickets are as follows:

NB: Dul Isteach- Ticket Only

Pre-purchase Prices

– Stand €35

– Terrace € 25

Concessions

– OAP: €5 reduction Stand and Terrace

– Students: €5 reduction Terrace only

– U 16: €5 reduction Terrace Only

– Family Tickets: Stand Adult + Juvenile €40 (Tickets limited)

All patrons intending to travel to the Final are reminded to purchase your tickets in advance as there will be no tickets on sale outside the ground on the day.

Tickets are also available to purchase in the following stores
Centra  Oughterard  Galway 
Centra  Kilcolgan  Galway 
Centra  Carnmore  Galway 
Centra  Ballygar  Galway 
Centra  Corofin  Galway 
Centra  Tuam  Galway 
Centra  Tuam Road(Monaghans)  Galway 
Centra  Headford  Galway 
Centra  Oranmore  Galway 
Centra  Ballinasloe  Galway 
Centra  Gort  Galway 
Centra  Spiddal  Galway 
SuperValu  Claregalway  Galway 
SuperValu  Barna  Galway 
SuperValu  Loughrea – Michael McInerney  Galway 
SuperValu  Tuam  Galway 
SuperValu  Clifden  Galway 
SuperValu  Gort  Galway 
SuperValu  Ballinasloe  Galway 
SuperValu  Lackagh  Galway 
SuperValu  Portumna – O’Meara  Galway 
SuperValu  Mountbellew  Galway 

Team News: Galway Minor Football v Mayo, Connacht MFC

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The Galway Team to face Mayo in the Connacht Minor Football Championship Round 3 game is announced

Galway v Mayo
📍Tuam Stadium
📆Friday 26 April 2024
🕑6.45PM

Buy Match Tickets🎟️
https://www.universe.com/events/electric-ireland-connacht-minor-football-round-3-galway-v-mayo-tickets-HCGKVP

📺Streaming on
https://page.inplayer.com/connachtgaa/item.html?id=3731765

Best of Luck to Neil McHugh, team management and our Minor squad!

#riseofthetribes
#gaillimhabú

EirGrid Connacht U20: Impressive Galway advance

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EirGrid Connacht U20 Football Championship Semi-Final

Galway 0-23 Sligo 1-12

By Kevin Egan at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park

The sun came out for the final set of round robin games in the Eirgrid Connacht U-20FC, but Galway were idle at that stage, having already secured their place in the knockout stages with five points from their first four games.

Tonight Derek Savage’s side had their first outing in Summer conditions in Castlebar and the young Tribesmen absolutely thrived, dominating the opening quarter to build up what ultimately proved to be an insurmountable lead.

Galway’s football in the first 18 minutes was nothing short of sublime. Twelve points were fired over Ethan Carden’s crossbar, and the only wide was a spilled ball from a tackle – every attempt at the posts resulted in the umpire reaching for the flag.

Shay McGlinchey continued to mark himself out as one of the brightest young prospects in the province with an outstanding all-round display and he had two early points on the board, both highlight reel material.

However, the real evidence that Galway could do no wrong was corner forward Jack Mullin, who stepped in as a last-minute replacement for Ronan Colleran and duly terrorised the Sligo full back line, plundering four points from play in the opening half, including an eye-of-a-needle effort that he squeezed through from an impossible angle on the left wing.

At 0-12 to 0-1 with the 20 minute mark looming, it looked catastrophic for last year’s All-Ireland finalists. Galway were dominating the Sligo kickout, while Ross Coen got on the scoresheet with an elegant finish, but the ease with which he sauntered through to get an unchallenged shot away made for dreadful viewing for Sligo supporters.

Then, in 10 ten minutes before half-time, there was a flicker of hope. Defensively they got to grips with things a bit more, and after one goal effort from Rian O’Callaghan was blocked out for a 45, their next attempt saw Robert O’Kelly Lynch drive down through the heart of the defence and set up Connor Flynn for a goal, reducing the half-time deficit to eight points (0-13 to 1-2).

Sligo needed to keep that momentum up into the second half, but Galway’s ongoing ability to win ball from long restarts ensured that they kept the scoreboard moving throughout an enjoyable but ultimately uncompetitive half of football.

Eamon McGrath’s kickouts were impeccable – the Claregalway man further demonstrated his dead ball ability with two excellent pointed frees – and when he didn’t have McGlinchey or his club colleague Jack Lonergan as his primary target, Ciarán Mulhern had a productive outing as a third receiver, dropping into pockets of space from centre forward.

Luke Marren kicked some nice points for Sligo while Eli Rooney made a strong impression off the bench, with Rossa Sloyan and Conor Sheridan also kicking points that demonstrated the quality that there is in this Sligo group, but Galway never went too long without scoring themselves and they always had at least six points to spare as they set up a provincial final tilt against Roscommon on Saturday week.

Scorers for Galway: Jack Mullin 0-4, Colm Costello 0-4 (2fs), Matthew Thompson 0-3 (1f), Shay McGlinchey 0-2, Ciarán Mulhern 0-2, Cian Murphy 0-2, Eamon McGrath 0-2 (2fs), Ross Coen 0-1, Mark Mannion 0-1, Jack Lonergan 0-1, Fionn Mac Donnacha 0-1 (m).

Scorers for Sligo: Luke Marren 0-5 (3fs), Connor Flynn 1-0, Eli Rooney 0-3 (1f), Rossa Sloyan 0-1, Ronan Niland 0-1, Conor Sheridan 0-1, Robert O’Kelly Lynch 0-1.

Galway: Eamon McGrath; Shane Canavan, Darragh Costello, Brian Noone; Jack Folan, Ross Coen, Mark Mannion; Shay McGlinchey, Jack Lonergan; Matthew Thompson, Cian Murphy, Conor Heneghan; Jack Mullin, Ciarán Mulhern, Colm Costello.

Subs: Fionn Mac Donnacha for Mullin (44), Daithi Kilcommins for Heneghan (51), Luc O’Connor for Folan (53), Pádraic Godwin for Mannion (53), Cormac Greaney for Coen (58).

Sligo: Ethan Carden; Ronan O’Hehir, Conor Johnston, Tommy Ross; Rian O’Callaghan, Dylan McLoughlin, Rossa Sloyan; Ross Doherty, Conor Sheridan; Robert O’Kelly Lynch, Ronan Niland, Conor Walsh; Luke Marren, James Donlon, Conor Flynn.

Subs: Dillon Walsh for O’Callaghan (HT), Eli Rooney for Donlon (37), Mark McDaniel for Flynn (39), Eoin Barrett for Johnston (45), Oran Harte for Ross (49).

Referee: Michael McGirl (Leitrim).

Team News: Galway U20 Football v Sligo, Connacht GAA Semi-Final

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The Galway U20 Football team to face Sligo in the Connacht U20 Football Championship Semi-Final is announced

Galway v Sligo

Hastings Insurance MacHale Park

Wednesday April 24th 2024 at 7.00pm

Buy Match Tickets, click here

Game will be broadcast on Sport TG4 YouTube Channel, click here

Best of Luck to Derek Savage, Team Management and our U20 Footballers!

#riseofthetribes

#gaillimhabú

 

Connacht SFC: Galway survive stern Sligo test

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Connacht SFC Semi-Final

Galway 1-13 Sligo 0-14

By Liam Maloney at Markievicz Park

Galway got out of jail at Markievicz Park as full-forward Robert Finnerty’s goal in second-half added time gave Padraic Joyce’s side a two-point win over a superb Sligo.

Finnerty, who finished with 1-5, was the match-winner and it was powerful substitute Damien Comer who helped turn things in Galway’s favour as they were on the brink of a shock defeat.

Holders Galway were looking to reach a ninth successive Connacht final while Sligo were aiming to qualify for a second successive decider for the first time.

Galway were favourites based not only on their Allianz Football League Division One status – compared to Sligo being in Division Three – but because they had 14 points to spare when they comfortably defeated Sligo in last year’s final at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park.

It was 12 years since Sligo last defeated Galway in the province at senior level – this was a semi-final in 2012.

Sligo were hoping to exploit home advantage as Markievicz Park was the scene for some thrilling contests with the Tribesmen over the years, including three draws at the Sligo town venue in the 1990s.

In splendid sunshine reminiscent of a championship weekend in June or July, Sligo belied pre-match predictions by taking the game to Galway and hurting them on the scoreboard.

Sligo registered four good points without reply to lead 0-4 to 0-0 by the 12th minute – this early surge included scores from Nathan Mullen, Cian Lally, Niall Murphy and Canice Mulligan.

Galway didn’t get on the scoreboard until Shane Walsh’s classy point after 13th minutes and they later fell four points down again, 0-5 to 0-1, after a fine Sligo score from the influential Patrick O’Connor.

The visitors finally began to get a foothold and three points without reply had them within a point of Sligo, 0-5 to 0-4, by the 23rd minute.

But Sligo stayed in front for the remainder of the opening half and were deserving of their three-point interval lead, 0-9 to 0-6.

Galway, however, had kicked six wides in the first-half (compared to Sligo’s four misses), and a series of unexploited goal chances from Galway let Sligo off the hook – Cein Darcy, Liam O’Conghaile and Jake McCabe all should have goaled.

Sligo looked to continue their zest in the second-half but when Galway summoned Damien Comer from the bench in the 47thminute Sligo were under additional pressure and Comer bagged a fine point within minutes of his introduction.

The hosts were three points clear, 0-13 to 0-10, after 50 minutes when Sean Carrabine pointed with aplomb but Sligo only scored once more after that when Niall Murphy landed a classy score from Patrick O’Connor’s pass eight minutes later.

Bit by bit Galway came back into it, without really impressing, as points from substitute Kieran Molloy and Cein Darcy made it a one-point game, 0-14 to 0-13, with additional time looming.

A defensive error led to Galway’s goal chance in the second minute of time added on. Damien Comer powered through and set up Johnny Heaney, who put the ball on a plate for Robert Finnerty to flick it into the net.

This goal put Galway in front for the first time, 1-13 to 0-14, and it was enough to get them over the line, albeit unconvincingly.

Scorers for Galway: Robert Finnerty 1-5 (1f), Damien Comer 0-2, Cein Darcy 0-2, Dylan McHugh 0-1, Johnny Heaney 0-1, Shane Walsh 0-1, Kieran Molloy 0-1.

Scorers for Sligo: Niall Murphy 0-3 (1f, 1 ‘mark’), Patrick O’Connor 0-3, Alan McLoughlin 0-2, Nathan Mullen 0-1, Darragh Cummins 0-1, Sean Carrabine 0-1, Canice Mulligan 0-1, Cian Lally 0-1, Mikey Gordon 0-1.

Galway: Conor Gleeson; Johnny McGrath, Sean Fitzgerald, Jack Glynn; Dylan McHugh, John Daly, Liam Silke; Paul Conroy, Sean Kelly; Johnny Heaney, Shane Walsh, Cein Darcy; Jack McCabe, Robert Finnerty, Liam O’Conghaile.

Subs: Damien Comer for Jack McCabe (42), Cillian O’Curraoin for Shane Walsh (47), Daniel O’Flaherty for John Daly (55), Kieran Molloy for Liam O’Conghaile (58), Patrick Egan for Paul Conroy (64).

Sligo: Aidan Devaney; Evan Lyons, Eddie McGuinness, Paul McNamara; Brian Cox, Nathan Mullen, Darragh Cummins; Sean Carrabine, Canice Mulligan; Cian Lally, Alan McLoughlin, Patrick O’Connor; Paul Kilcoyne, Niall Murphy, Mikey Gordon.

Subs: Lee Deignan for Mikey Gordon (52), Mark Walsh for Cian Lally (62), Peter Laffey for Darragh Cummins (65), Eoghan Smith for Sean Carrabine (67), Donal Conlon for Patrick O’Connor (70+1).

Referee: Barry Tiernan (Dublin).