Coen says youth policy will pay

Given the amount of young Galway players jettisoned at senior level, it’srefreshing if a little unusual that Anthony Cunningham has placed so much trust in the inexperienced.

In last month’s win over Westmeath, it was reckoned there was nobody over the age of 22 on their bench.

Current U21 defender Johnny Coen was given his head at wing-back in Mullingar while four others were handed Championship starting debuts. The Loughrea player sees plenty of merit in what the manager is doing by investing in youth. “He’s giving the young lads a bit of a chance because Anthony would have been U21manager for three years, four years now.