Galway lose men but win

Referee Pat Conway booked 10 players and sent off Galway's Padraig Boyce and Padraig Joyce in this FBD Connacht League game played…

Referee Pat Conway booked 10 players and sent off Galway's Padraig Boyce and Padraig Joyce in this FBD Connacht League game played under experimental rules in Cloone. Galway forwards Shay Walsh, Tommy Joyce and Paul Clancy played havoc with an inexperienced and at times naive Leitrim defence, while at the other end the home side missed a number of good chances - Galway goalkeeper Pat Comer saved a Leitrim penalty in the 40th minute. Galway held a 0-7 to 0-2 interval lead, but when Joyce was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 34th minute Leitrim started to gain more possession, which resulted in points from Cullen and Padraig McLoughlin.

Then came the penalty miss, but further points from Gene Bohan and Fintan McBrien gave Leitrim hope. However a series of excellent long-range points from Shay Walsh, Sean de Paor and Derek Savage between the 45th and 55th minute widened the gap.

Galway were not rattled when they were reduced to 13 men after Padraig Boyce was dismissed five minutes from time.

Galway: P Comer; R Doyle, G Fahey, R Fahey; J Divilley, D Mitchell, S de Paor (0-1); S O Domhnaill, P Boyce; M Donnellan (0-1), P Clancy (0-2), D Meehan; S Walsh (0-5), P Joyce (0-1), T Joyce (0-3). Subs: D Savage (0-1) for D Meehan; T Wilson for P Clancy; F Gavin for S O Domhnaill; K Fallon for S de Paor.

READ MORE

Leitrim: M McHugh; D Kelleher, A Charles, J Tiffaney; R Greenan, F Davitt, S McGettigan (0-1); C Carroll, R Logan; F McBrien (0-1), A Rooney (0-2), P McLoughlin (0-2); D Brennan, A Cullen (0-1), G Bohan (0-2). Subs: G Flanagan for F Davitt; K Murray for R Greenan; G Holohan for G Flanagan; C Duignan for J Tiffaney; P Farrell for D Brennan.

Referee: P Conway (Sligo).