Galway kick off Connacht U20 campaign with a win over wasteful Roscommon

MY BALL: Shay McGlinchey of Galway holds possession. Pic: Bryan Keane/Inpho

Connacht U20FC: Galway 3-10 (3-1-8) Roscommon 1-11 (1-2-7) 

Galway kicked off their U20 campaign with a five-point victory over Roscommon at Tuam Stadium with their senior panellists excelling throughout.

Captain Mikey Mulryan kicked three points and created an awesome second-half goal for corner-forward Matthew Collins with a long floated ball inside. Shay McGlinchey landed their first green flag. Ciaran Mulhern kicked three points and gave an exhibition of centre forward like play all afternoon.

“The lads come to our meetings and train with the seniors but that level of training, I always say, Shay is marking a Paul Conroy in training every Wednesday,” said manager Kevin Johnson post-match.

“That will only make him stronger for us. The reality is there is really good communication between two groups. It is very difficult for them more than it is for us.” Galway led 2-5 to 1-4 at half-time despite Roscommon playing with the wind. The visitors enjoyed plenty of possession early on but missed 12 first-half shots in total between missed frees, two-point attempts, shots dropped short and a hooked 45.

Both teams would have been content with their start. Mulhern, who started for Pádraic Joyce’s outfit last Sunday in Monaghan, scored after they won the throw-in. Niall Heneghan hit back with a lovely two-pointer.

From there, the home side came with a burst. McGlinchey had his first goal chance saved and made no mistake with his second after excellent build-up play from Mulhern and Maitiú Ó Domhnaill, 1998 and 2001 All-Ireland winner Sean’s son.

A dropping Ross Coen effort ended up in the net after Cian Mitchell met it at the back post. John Curran eventually put an end to the inaccuracy at the other end with a goal of his own. Coen tried a ball across his own defence and Roscommon jumped at the opportunity. It was the sort of clinical edge they lacked for much of the hour.

The Castlerea forward kept at it despite some early misses and his reward for that perseverance was another two-pointer before the turnaround.

To their credit, Roscommon refused to yield. Four points in a row closed the gap to three midway through the half. Their primary issue remained conversion, however. Charlie O’Carroll rattled the crossbar with a goal chance. They missed 18 shots in total.

Galway travel to Leitrim next week while Roscommon welcome Sligo to Ballyforan in the next round of the Connacht championship.

“Obviously, we want to win it” said Johnson. Their last provincial title at this grade was 2020. “Galway football senior is in a great place. They have won four Connacht seniors in a row. I think it is really important that we try to push on.

“Can we win a Connacht title? Look the competition is so high. You saw it today. Sligo put Mayo to their collar. Every team at his level is really strong.” 

Scorers for Galway: M. Collins 1-2; C. Mitchell, S. McGlinchey 1-0 each; C. Mulhern 0-3 (1tpf); M. Mulryan 0-3 (1 free); R. Coen, K. Joyce 0-1 each.

Scorers for Roscommon: J. Curran 1-3 (1 tp, 1 f); N. Heneghan 0-2 (tp); C. McKeon 0-2; C. Murray, J. McGuinness, C. O’Carroll, D. Casey 0-1 each.

GALWAY: C. Walsh; D. Hughes, O. Kelly, V. Gill; R. McGrath, R. Coen, C. Mitchell; S. McGlinchey, P, Keaney; C. Rafferty, C. Mulhern, M. Ó Domhnaill; K. Joyce, M. Ulryan, M. Collins.

Subs: E. Ó Cualáin for Joyce (50); B. O’Malley for Rafferty (53); N. De Paor for Collins (57); H. Keady for McGlinchey (59); C. Mannion for Kelly (60).

ROSCOMMON: P. Gaynor; G. Casey, M. Gillooley, N. Birzins; K. Kelly, E. Carthy, C. Murray; N. Heneghan, R. Henry; S. McGuinness, J. McGuinness, E. Collins; J. Curran, R. Kilcline, C. O’Carroll.

Subs: C. McKeon for McGuinness (INJ – 10; D. Higgins for Carthy (39-41, Temp); D. O’Higgins for Casey (41); D. Casey for Henry (45); C. Grogan for McKeon (55; D. Higgins for Kilcline (57).

Referee: P. Lydon (Mayo).