Galway have greater scope to raise their game

CONNACHT SFC SEMI-FINAL REPLAY Sligo v Galway: AS AN indication of where Connacht football stands last Sunday's draw was pretty dismal viewing. There was much to admire in Sligo's purposeful tying up of the favourites in the first half as well as their patient score building, which set a challenging target for Galway, even with the second-half wind.

The late, late nature of the scoring blitz that turned Sligo’s apparently comfortable win into a draw came so quickly there was no time to respond but Kevin Walsh’s team had played a dangerous game in the second half, conceding increasing amounts of space.

Eamonn O’Hara’s terrific display against Mayo wasn’t replicated last week because there was less of a need for the fire brigade in defence, as Galway were comparatively toothless for much of the match and more of a requirement to shore up the middle where a better scoring platform in the second half would have won the match.

Pádraic Joyce’s calculation was Galway’s saving grace. Gareth Bradshaw’s relentless pushing from right wing back was another positive (together with his call-up to dispatch the critical equalising free) but for too long Joe Kernan’s team were lifeless and apparently incapable in the face of Sligo’s energy.

Better will be expected today: a more sustained competitiveness and more of the sort of patient probing that eventually paid out.

Sligo need to keep the foot on the pedal is they can again get on top. David Kelly is in such luminous form the game plan should be based around putting him into scoring positions.

Added to Galway’s room for improvement is the obvious fact they will start with 15 after having to survive with Seán Armstrong sent off for nearly the whole second half a week ago.

Ultimately the favourites have far greater scope for raising their game than Sligo, for whom it’s hard to imagine a better chance than came six days ago.

GALWAY: A Faherty; K Fitzgerald, F Hanley, A Burke; G Bradshaw, D Blake, G O'Donnell; N Coleman, J Bergin; G Sice, S Armstrong, M Clancy; M Meehan, P Joyce, E Concannon.

SLIGO: P Greene; C Harrison, N McGuire, R Donovan; K Cawley , B Philips, J Davey; T Taylor , S Gilmartin; A Costello, M Breheny, K Sweeney; C McGee, E OHara, D Kelly.

Referee: Maurice Deegan(Laois).

In the last episode: In a match complicated by a hurricane – even by Salthill standards – raging down the field, Sligo were just a score or two short of putting this beyond Galway.

On your marks: Captain Michael Meehan is back after acclimatising during last week's second half. Even lacking match sharpness his willingness to show for ball and the distraction he created were significant factors in the Galway revival. What's Sligo's plan this evening?

Gaining ground: Galway lost the Connacht final to Sligo in Hyde Park and won't mind travelling to Sligo, where they haven't been beaten in the championship for 35 years.

You bet: Galway out from 8 to 13 to 10 to 11, Sligo tightening from 7 to 4 to 6 to 5 and the draw goes from 16 to 1 to 15 to 2 (70 minutes).

Just the ticket: Stand € 25 and terrace €15.

Crystal gazing: Galway to make amends.