Galway turn on the style at excellent Connemara venue

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Written by John Fallon

Wednesday, 24 January 2007

Galway's football journey in 2007 will hopefully be a long and fruitful one, but where ever it takes them few places will surpass the majestic backdrop that was provided for this FBD League game at Inverin on Sunday.

Galway 1-19 GMIT 0-7

The Micheal Breathnach's club rolled out the red carpet for the first ever match played by Galway senior footballers in the south Connemara region.

And the heavens smiled on the occasion, a flat calm Galway Bay on one side and a pitch with a surprisingly solid surface nestled in between rocks and hills on the other, providing a perfect setting for a game of football. The rain disappeared and the sun shone for the duration of a game which was enjoyed by several hundred.

And, after a quarter hour of dithering, Galway rose to the occasion and produced an accomplished display to put the students to the sword and secure a place in the Connacht FBD League final.

The most encouraging aspect was the high return on the scoreboard, especially after the wastefulness displayed a week earlier at a windy Tuam Stadium against Leitrim.

A scoring spree which yielded 1-9 without reply either side of half-time was enough to see off the challenge of a GMIT side who ran out of steam after a good opening.

The excellent condition of the south Connemara venue allowed Galway to cut loose after the students had surprisingly held an edge in the opening quarter.

Three points from Oranmore/Maree's John McGrath and a 45 from Longford county player Stephen McCormack helped GMIT establish a 0-4 to 0-2 lead after fifteen minutes.

But with Barry Cullinane and Paul Geraghty getting on top in the middle of the field and Derek Savage looking sharp up front, Galway took complete control.

Nicky Joyce, who helped himself to seven points, pushed Galway in front while Ja Fallon landed three excellent scores from his centre-forward position.

Galway led by 0-9 to 0-4 at half-time, with Joyce and Fallon tacking on points after the restart.

Sean Armstrong got the game's only goal when he was at the end of a short passing movement after 46 minutes.

The introduction of Roscommon minor star Donie Shine energised GMIT and he chipped in with two long range points from placed balls.

Galway: N Joyce (0-7, three frees), D Savage (0-4, one free), S Armstrong (1-1), J Fallon (0-3), P Geraghty (0-1), J Bergin (0-1), F Burke (0-1), A Burke (0-1).

GMIT: J McGrath (0-3, two frees), D Shine (0-2, both frees), S McCormack (0-1, 45), E Concannon (0-1).

Galway: C King; A Burke, D Burke, D Mullaghy; M Comer, N Coyne, P Gately; B Cullinane, P Geraghty; D Savage, J Fallon, J Bergin; F Burke, N Joyce, S Armstrong.

Subs: P. Carty for Comer, half-time; J Clifford for Cullinane, 46 mins; M Killilea for King, 48 mins; J Boylan for Geraghty, 56 mins; B Dooney for Bergin, 60 mins.

GMIT: R Cullen; J Varley, S Walshe, G Begley; P McGinley, A Geraghty, T Cunniffe; P Regan, T Hughes; J Hayes, B Lee, G Higgins; J McGrath, S McCormack, A Gunning.

Subs: S Ryder for Cunniffe, inj. 31 mins; S Kavanagh for Gunning, half-time; E Concannon for Lee, half-time; D Shine for McGrath, 50 mins; L Giblin for Begley, 61 mins.

Referee: B Kinneavy (Na Piarsaigh).

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