There was disappointment for Sligo minor gaelic footballers in Friday night’s Connacht semi-final against Galway as the Tribesman ran out comprehensive 3-15 to 1-13 winners at Tuam Stadium.
The Yeats County were bidding to reach a third consecutive Connacht final but here, they were unable to produce their ‘A’ game on a perfect evening for football at spiritual home of Galway football.
Sligo’s slow start to this semi-final didn’t help as Galway raced into a 1-5 to 0-0 advantage, with centre forward Colm Costello firing home the early goal.
But David Caffrey’s side’s gradually got to grips with proceedings and Cian Carthy’s persistance paid off with a goal which gave them genuine hope.
At the other end, the impressive Éanna Monaghan was a constant thorn for Sligo – he would contribute 1-9 of Galway’s total on the night.
Sligo trailed by six points at half-time, 1-10 to 1-4 but an injury to midfielder Dillon Walsh was a setback and the influential Owenmore Gaels clubman had to be replaced early enough in the second-half.
Galway were never seriously troubled after that and second-half goals from Monaghan and corner forward Charlie Cox helped guide them to an eight-point victory.
To Sligo’s credit, heads never dropped and the outscored their opponents by seven points to one in the closing quarter.
But by then, Galway were safely into a Connnacht minor final meeting with Mayo next weekend.
Connacht minor football semi-final result
Galway 3-15 Sligo 1-13.
