Galway 2-9 Leitrim 0-6
Goals in the final quarter from Michael Moughan and Matthew Thompson helped Galway stave off an upset and advance to the Connacht U-20 final with a flattering nine point win in wet conditions at Tuam Stadium.
It’s their first win in the competition since they defeated Dublin to win the 2020 All-Ireland title, but they looked to be in trouble when Leitrim got within a point with the wind behind them midway through the second-half.
But Galway took over and held the visitors scoreless from there before hitting them for two goals to ensure safe passage to the final.
Galway, having had the breeze behind them, led by 0-6 to 0-2 at the break despite shooting seven wides to Leitrim’s one as both teams were hampered by the conditions.
Leitrim were dealt a double blow with captain Michael McKiernan unable to start through illness while senior player Barry McNulty was withdrawn to ensure he is available for duty in Gaelic Park against New York on Saturday.
The Galway attack looked sharper from the outset with Jake Slattery shooting three excellent points in the opening half off both feet.
Midfielder Sam O’Neill also shot a brace of points using both feet with full-forward Seán Birmingham getting them off the mark inside a minute.
Paul Moran opened Leitrim’s account with a free from 30 metres after 14 minutes and Ben Guckian, son of manager Benny, kicked an excellent point to leave them four adrift at the interval.
Points from Jamie McGreal and Moran halved the deficit inside eight minutes of the restart and while Cillian Ó Curraoin responded for Galway, Radek Oberwan and Moran again found their range to leave Leitrim trailing by just 0-7 to 0-6 going into the final quarter.
But that was as close as they got and after missing a couple of chances to equalise, they paid a big price as Galway regrouped.
Two frees from Birmingham pushed Galway three in front before interval sub Michael Moughan soloed in from the left and drilled the ball low to the net to push them ahead by double scores at 1-9 to 0-6 five minutes from time.
There was no way back for Leitrim and Matthew Thompson sealed a somewhat flattering win with Galway’s second goal deep into added time.
GALWAY: J Egan; L O’Connor, E Donohue, C MacDonncha; B Coen, B Cogger, J Folan; P Egan, S O’Neill (0-2); M Thompson (1-0), J Slattery (0-3), F Ó Sé; C Power, S Birmingham (0-3, two frees), C Ó Curraoin (0-1 free). Subs: M Moughan (1-0) for Coen (half-time), M Mac Gearailt for Power (48 mins), J Lonergan for Folan (55).
LEITRIM: C Flood; J Foley, B Donohoe; R Cunningham; J McGreal (0-1), D McLoughlin, M Lenehan; D Bosquette, G Reynolds; E Regan, B Guckian (0-1), J Casey; K McCrann, P Moran (0-3, two frees), R Oberwan (0-1). Subs: J Tobin for McLoughlin (28 mins), M McKiernan for Regan (52), Tommy Taylor for Bosquette (58).
Referee: John Gilmartin (Sligo).
