Tribe U21s sweat on Ó Curraoin

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.

“Fiontain is still a big concern for us,” admits Galway U21 boss Gerry Fahy, who has previously managed the Offaly senior side. “He’s a massive player for us and showed that with the U21s last year. He’s now a senior footballer as well with Galway so would be a big loss if he can’t make it.”

Ó Curraoin is one of seven members of last year’s championship-winning side in Fahy’s starting XV. Goalkeeper Manus Breathnach, corner-back Gary Sweeney, full-back Jonathan Duane, centre-forward Tomás Flynn, full-forward Patrick Sweeney and corner-forward Eric Monahan all started in the decider against Cavan last May, while wing-back Conor O’Halloran and midfielder Brian Flaherty both featured as substitutes in that Croke Park clash.