Nine points from Young Footballer of the Year, Cillian O’Connor, proved to be the difference as Galway surrendered their provincial and All-Ireland U21 FC crowns in last night’s Connacht preliminary round clash in Castlebar.

Galway’s All-Ireland U21-winning midfielder Fiontain Ó Curraoin has been named in the side for the opening defence of their crown in tomorrow night’s Cadbury’s Connacht U21FC quarter-final against Mayo in McHale Park but remains a major doubt due to an ankle injury.

NICKY JOYCE scored three points on his return to the Galway side for the first time since 2010 as the Tribesmen defeated London in the FBD League at Ballinasloe yesterday.

JOHN MAUGHAN’S NUI Galway side claimed their second inter-county scalp of the week when an Ian Galvin goal proved decisive at Tuam Stadium.

DUBLIN will be the first team since Cork in 2000 to provide representatives in both All-Ireland minor finals after this victory for Dessie Farrell’s side against a Galway team that proved far stiffer opposition than some had expected.

SHANE WALSH fired Galway into an All-Ireland MFC semi-final with a top class second-half display against Ulster champions Cavan in the Pearse Park in Longford on Saturday.

GALWAY boss Tommy Joyce has made three changes to his starting fifteen for this afternoon’s All-Ireland MFC quarter-final against Cavan in Pearse Park at 3pm.

ROSCOMMON captured their 12th Connacht minor football title and first since winning the 2006 All-Ireland title with an easy win over a very disappointing Galway yesterday.

EMMETT BOLTON returns to the Kildare side for tomorrow’s All-Ireland qualifier against neighbours Meath in Páirc Tailteann in Navan.

MAYO are chasing a hat-trick of titles when they play Galway in the Connacht minor football championship final in Castlebar tomorrow.