Galway advance after fright in Leitrim

Connacht Senior Football Championship Semi-Final

Galway 1-20

Leitrim 2-12

At Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada

GALWAY'S challenge for a record-equalling five in-a-row of Connacht Senior Football Championship titles remains on track despite surviving a major scare from Leitrim this afternoon in sunny Carrick-on-Shannon.

Padraic Joyce's side led by eight points early in the second half and were ten to the goods as late as the 58th minute following a well-worked goal from Dylan McHugh.

But an heroic fightback from Leitrim that brought goals from Oisín McLoughlin and Jack Kelly, as well as two-pointers from Barry McNulty and Paul Honeyman, cut the deficit to just three.

Late Shane Walsh and Robert Finnerty scores released the pressure valve as Galway held their composure in the closing minutes and denied the hosts a first championship win over them since 1994.

Two-pointers from Paul Conroy, Robert Finnerty and Liam Ó Conghaile helped Galway to an 0-11 to 0-4 lead after low-quality opening half that saw both sides waste several scoring chances.

Leitrim's prospects appeared slim at that juncture as an early Riordan O'Rourke point was their only score from play in the half to go with frees from Ben Guckian and 'keeper Killian Gaffey.

Leitrim revival

The home side's revival started with Barry McNulty converting a two-point free and Oisín McLoughlin netting the rebound after Connor Gleeson saved a Ryan O'Rourke penalty in the 46th minute.

Leitrim were within touching distance trailing by 0-12 to 1-6 and also had the advantage of an extra man following Conor Flaherty's black card. Yet, Steven Poacher's team were soon down to 14 men themselves after losing Mark Diffley to the sin-bin.

Galway regained the initiative and surged 1-17 to 1-7 in front with a dozen minutes to go. Dylan McHugh palmed home their goal after Damien Comer and Sean Kelly were involved in the build-up.

With their margin in double-digits, the Nestor Cup holders looked comfortable. But Leitrim asked serious questions once more and grabbed their second goal in the 61st minute after Jack Kelly applied the finishing touch to McLoughlin's pass. Riordan O'Rourke, Gaffey and Paul Honeyman points came in a run of 1-4 without answer as the scoreline stood at 1-17 to 2-11.

But with Shane Walsh and Robert Finnerty scores releasing the pressure valve, Galway held firm in the closing minutes to set up a provincial final with Mayo or Roscommon.

GALWAY: Conor Flaherty; Johnny McGrath, Séan Fitzgerald, Séan Ó Maoilchiaráin; Dylan McHugh (1-0), Liam Silke, John Daly (0-1); Céin D'Arcy, John Maher (captain, 0-1); Paul Conroy (0-3, one 0-2 score), Finnian Ó Laoi (0-1), Cillian McDaid (0-2); Robert Finnerty (0-4, one 0-2 score, 0-2 frees), Oisín Mac Donnacha, Liam Ó Conghaile (0-3, one 0-2 score). Subs: Shane Walsh (0-3, 0-2 frees), for Mac Donnacha, 41 mins; Shane McGrath (0-1), for Ó Laoi, 41 mins; Connor Gleeson, for Ó Conghaile, 46 mins; Seán Kelly (0-1), for Johnny McGrath (temporary), 55 mins; Damien Comer, for Flaherty, 56 mins; Maitias Eoin Bairéad, for McDaid, 61 mins.

LEITRIM: Killian Gaffey (0-3, one 0-2 free, one 45); Cillian McGloin, Seán Harkin, Conor Reynolds; Eoin McLoughlin, Mark Diffley, Keith Keegan; Conor Quinn, Barry McNulty (0-2, 0-2 free); Fergal McLoughlin, Riordan O'Rourke (0-2), Tom Prior; Oisín McLoughlin (1-1), Ben Guckian (0-1, free), Ryan O'Rourke (captain, 0-1, free). Subs: Paul Honeyman (0-2, 0-2 score), for Guckian, 44 mins; Jack Kelly (1-0), for Fergal McLoughlin, 51 mins; Kieran Clancy, for Harkin, 53 mins; Eanna McNamara, for McGloin, 54 mins; Michael McKiernan, for Quinn, 66 mins.

REFEREE: Niall Cullen (Fermanagh).