Conneely goal sets Galway on road to retain minor title

A 43RD MINUTE goal from team captain Dessie Conneely proved the pivotal moment as Galway’s minor footballers overcame Mayo to retain the Kilcoyne Cup in Sunday afternoon’s curtain-raiser at Pearse Stadium.
Much like the senior decider that followed, strong winds and driving rain contributed to a dour, low-scoring Connacht final in which defences dominated and scoring chances were both hard-earned and equally difficult to convert.
Galway were that bit slicker and cohesive overall though, and they’ll advance to the All-Ireland series as Connacht champions where they’ll meet the defeated finalists in Leinster, Kildare or Laois, on the August bank holiday weekend.
After putting Roscommon to the sword in Kiltoom ten days earlier, Galway came in with some impressive form in the book. So too did Mayo, after blasting four goals past Leitrim on their way to Sunday’s decider. It was an afternoon that produced just 16 scores, however, as both teams struggled for scores.