Connacht SFC Semi-final: Immaturity in attack and a fade-out in midfield against the power and experience of Kevin Walsh and Joe Bergin proved two of the more notable factors that denied Leitrim a realistic chance against John O'Mahony's team.
Galway nonetheless blew hot and cold yesterday.
Leitrim, encouraged by a shock second-minute goal, led until the 25th minute when Bergin, having been set up for a goal chance by Padhraic Joyce, was satisfied to take the point for the equaliser.
Commenting on Leitrim's surprise goal start, O'Mahony said: "If you are to concede a goal, no better time to do so than in the second minute. You then have almost 70 minutes to do something about it."
The odds against Galway failing to hit the front before the 26th minute would have been enormous but that was what happened before Joyce shot them ahead 0-6 to 1-2.
The spirit of the Leitrim team had enabled them to stay with their hugely fancied opponents for the entire first half, an anxious time for O'Mahony's team for it seemed Declan Rowley had his team well primed to capitalise on any Galway shortcoming.
Indeed the gallant challengers raised the expectations of the strong home support in the 9,000 crowd when Pauric McLoughlin scored the third of his tally of five points to restore Leitrim's lead just before half-time.
Fortunately for Galway, Matthew Clancy and wing back Seán Óg de Paor squeezed in two rapid points to leave their side just in front, 0-8 to 1-4, at the break.
The interval consensus was that the shock result was on if Leitrim could maintain their effort. John O'Mahony later noted: "Who better than I to be aware of the pride and passion that Leitrim players can produce." He of course led Leitrim to Connacht championship success in 1994.
But that was the height of it as far as Leitrim's challenge was concerned. Within just 15 seconds of the resumption Galway had the goal they so badly needed.
Bergin won possession at the throw-in and careered forward to place Michael Meehan towards the right. Meehan got inside his marker only to lose possession when he was about to shoot, but he recovered well by sliding forward for the vital touch.
Yet another blow to Leitrim arrived just before the end when a brilliant through pass from Joyce set up Paul Clancy, subsequently voted man of the match, for a clear goal chance. The Galwayman was dragged to the ground and Cork referee John Geaney instantly awarded the penalty, which Derek Savage slotted just inside the right post.
Galway wing backs Declan Meehan and Seán Óg de Paor and right back Kieran Fitzgerald were outstanding, but Michael Donnellan may ask O'Mahony not to play him again at centre back.
The Dunmore McHales man had an unhappy time, not least when he was responsible for Séamus Quinn's shock goal.
Leitrim wing back Niall Gilbane placed Colin Regan, whose beautifully weighted delivery fell into Donnellan's path, but Donnellan lost possession to Quinn, who took his chance in style.
Leitrim manager Rowley was impressed by the way Galway took control in the second half.
"Galway have great experience and when they upped the pace I felt that I would love to be working with quality of that kind. I think the sky's the limit for them," he said.
But Rowley warned: "A team with more punch up front and with that same type of hunger as we had might do a lot more damage to them."
Leitrim's ambition was clear, so clear at times in fact that referee Geaney might have pulled them up for tugging at jerseys in their enthusiasm.
"This match was always going to be a tough one for us," O'Mahony said. "We have a lot of improvement to do. Our work-rate was not good in the first half."
GALWAY: B Donoghue; K Fitzgerald, G Fahey, R Fahey; D Meehan, M Donnellan, Seán Óg de Paor (0-1); K Walsh, J Bergin (0-2): P Clancy (0-1), M Clancy (0-3), J Fallon (0-1); M Meehan (1-0), P Joyce (0-3, 0-1f), D Savage (1-2, 1-0 pen.). Subs: M Comer for R Fahey (55 mins); N Joyce for Fallon (63 mins); D O'Brien for Savage (67 mins); K Comer for Bergin (70 mins).
LEITRIM: G Phelan; M McGuinness, J McKeon, D Reynolds; N Gilbane, J Phelan, S Foley; C Carroll, S Canning; M Duignan, S Quinn (1-1), C Regan; D Brennan, F McBride (0-1), P McLoughlin (0-5 frees). Subs: P McDermott for Duignan (35 mins); D Maxwell for S Foley (49 mins); A McGourty for Gilbane (52 mins); C Murray for Regan (60 mins); O Maguire for McBrien (61 mins).Carrick-on-Shannon
Match statistics
