GALWAY football manager Bosco McDermott's broad strategy ahead of Sunday's Connacht Senior Football final should, if successfully put into practice, concentrate the minds and tax the capabilities of Mayo for 70 minutes in Castlebar.

McDermott's tenet is: "There is no past in a game and no future in a game. It is simply minute by minute". He has told his players that no other approach will suffice.

He was disappointed with his team for throwing a life line to Leitrim in the semi final". Galway were seven points up in that game when, according to McDermott, "our players began to wait for the final whistle and we just held out to win by two points".

His team is setting off in a bid to retain the title from the possible start.

"They are more self motivated and determined than last year. I don't have to motivate them they want to win it themselves for themselves. I believe that is the key to good achievement"

McDermott continued: "I am looking for a minute by minute work rate. This for me would be the most reassuring aspect of our efforts on Sunday. We lacked persistence in the match against Leitrim. We were inclined to display immaturity, something we have done a few times in important matches. We will be striving to get rid of that sort of attitude.

Like all positive thinking managers, McDermott strives for perfection in his own team and lets the opposition worry about them. If he has any particular fear for Sunday, it concerns his own players' response, and has little to do with what Mayo might have to offer.

"The only thing I would be afraid of is ourselves, that we don't play as well as we are capable. I don't have any influence over the opposition and how they perform. What I do know is that if we get up to the top of our form and do it for 70 minutes, it will be enough to win.

Following last year's final with Mayo, McDermott is on record as saying: "It would take a brave man to put money on Galway to win the All Ireland.

However, "this time," says McDermott "I can assure you that we won't be afraid of anybody after Sunday. If we win the Connacht final, we will be going on to win the All Ireland. That will be our objective."

Meanwhile, Peter Canavan will be eligible to play for Tyrone in Sunday week's Ulster Senior Football final against Down.

Canavan was sent off in the semi final against Derry for a second bookable offence. This would normally merit a two week suspension, but the punishment was doubled to a month in view of the fact that the Tyrone All Star had received marching orders in a club match a few weeks earlier. His suspension expires at midnight tomorrow week.

Sean Boylan is concerned about a hamstring injury sustained by goalkeeper Conor Martin ahead of Sunday week's Leinster Senior Football final against holders Dublin. Ronan Finnegan is on standby.

Boylan disregards the assessment that Dublin have not been very impressive so far. "The Leinster final always brings out the best in Dublin teams," he said.

Former Dublin star, Dave Foran, has the backing of Wicklow's top brass for reinstatement as the county's Senior Football manager for another term. Pat Lawless, of the county's management committee, confirmed yesterday that Foran is to be highly recommended.

Mattie Murphy, Galway's hurling manager, has given recalls to two tried and trusted defenders in Pauric Kelly and Brian Feeney for tomorrow's curious All Ireland Senior Hurling quarter final clash with New York opposition in Athenry.

The half back line has been reshuffled as a result of the enforced absence, through injury, of Nigel Shaughnessy. Kelly comes in at right half back, Conor Donovan moves into the pivotal position in place of Shaughnessy with Michael Donoghue operating on the left flank.

Brian Feeney, who impressed in the closing stages of the successful National League campaign, is preferred to Paul Cooney at full back.

The Athenry man had been unfortunate to sustain a hamstring injury at a time when he was making the full back position his own, but he has recovered.

The cautious approach to a match that Murphy regards as unknown territory is reflected in the fact that the attack remains the same as that chosen for the National League final.

"You can leave nothing to chance in a match of this kind," said Murphy. "I know very little about the New York side except that I understand it includes; some former Galway club players and two or three Tipperary players. One can only assume that there are a number of good quality hurlers in that lot."