THIS is almost surreal.

THIS was one of the most exciting Connacht finals that I was ever at.

All-Ireland SFC Connacht final

Sligo manager Kevin Walsh has named his side to face Galway in Sunday's Connacht SFC semi-final, opting for no changes in personnel for the Pearse Stadium encounter.

ONE was a foot soldier and the other a commander-in-chief when Galway ruled the roost in Connacht and beyond but there was an inescapable sense of a baton being passed under Ben Bulben’s watchful eye on Saturday evening.

A MASSIVE clash in the last 15 minutes between captains, Trevor Mortimer and Charlie Harrison, epitomised the difference between their respective Mayo and Sligo sides on Saturday evening.

Sligo 0-15 Mayo 1-8

MICHAEL SHIELDS continues at full-back, with Ray Carey and Anthony Lynch holding down the corner-back positions as Cork announce the same starting side that defeated Armagh in their final group qualifying game for Sunday’s Allianz NFL Division Two final against Monaghan at Croke Park.

Mayo 3-11 Sligo 0-07

Sligo captain Noel McGuire has failed to recover from a dislocated elbow in time for Sunday's crunch Connacht SFC semi-final encounter with Mayo.

The Sligo team chosen for Sunday's Connacht SFC opener against London (Ruislip, throw-in 2.30pm) shows only two changes to the side that started last summer's historic Connacht final win.

Tommy Jordan is just days away from his championship debut as an inter-county manager as he takes his Sligo side to Ruislip this weekend to begin their Connacht SFC title defence against London.

Sligo's team captain Noel McGuire won't be fit in time for his county's Connacht SFC opener against London on May 25.

Sligo have booked their place in the third round of the All-Ireland SFC qualifiers, winning their north-west duel with Leitrim by 1-07 to 0-09.

Sligo manager Tommy Breheny has, as expected, named an unchanged side for Saturday's re-arranged Connacht SFC quarter-final with Galway at Pearse Stadium (throw-in 5.30pm).

JUST two provincial title successes in over 100 years and a mere three victories over Galway in the same period highlight the challenge that faces Sligo in their Connacht SFC opener against the Tribesmen in Pearse Stadium tomorrow. Jim O’Sullivan reports.

FOLLOWING this championship re-charge for Cork in Portlaoise on Saturday, manager Billy Morgan talked about being in a “bonus” situation by qualifying for next Saturday’s quarter-final against Galway.

Sligo manager Dominic Corrigan has axed forward duo Dara McGarty and Gerry McGowan for tomorrow's All-Ireland SFC fourth round qualifier against Cork (Portlaoise, throw-in 4pm).

Sligo manager Dominic Corrigan has largely kept faith with his side for Sunday's All-Ireland SFC qualifier shootout with almost regular opponents Clare.

Roscommon 1-10 Sligo 0-13

Cavan 1-12 Sligo 1-16