The Tribesmen will be seeking revenge for the shock Connacht final defeat to the Yeatsmen in 2007. It was only Sligo's third-ever provincial success and was their first win over Galway since 1975.
Sligo is managed by former Galway player Kevin Walsh and have only beaten Galway five times in the history of the championship. Galway have beaten Sligo 25 times while there have been four draws. Galway are bidding to reach the Connacht final for the fifth successive year, having won in 2005 and 2008 and lost in 2006 and 2007.
Last Championship Clash
Sligo 1-10 Galway 0-12 (2007 Connacht final)
A great occasion for Sligo who won the Connacht title for the first time since 1975 when they held Galway off by a point in Dr. Hyde Park. Mark Breheny scored 0-4 while a cracking goal by Eamonn O'Hara was also crucial in Sligo's victory. Padraic Joyce scored 0-5 for Galway but it wasn't enough to save the day.
Championship Results so far for each team:
Galway 1-18 London 1-7 (Connacht quarter-final)
Sligo are having their first game in the championship.
Sligo have named their side for Sunday's clash and have brought back in the experienced Mark Breheny at full-forward, with former All Star Eamon O'Hara selected at right half-forward. Charles Harrison will captain the side from corner-back.
Sligo Team:
P Greene; C Harrison (capt), N McGuire, R Donovan; M McNamara, N Ewing, J Davey; T Taylor, E Mullen; E O'Hara, A Costello, S Davey; D Kelly, M Breheny, A Marren.
Galway on the other hand will be without the services of Damien Dunleavy due to the fact that the wing forward is struggling with a groin injury. However, midfielders Joe Bergin and Barry Cullinane both return from knee injury for Galway. In fact Liam Sammon has made three changes from the side that defeated London for Sunday's Connacht football semi final against Sligo at Markievicz Park. Declan Meehan, Matthew Clancy and Joe Bergin replace Gary Sice, Damien Dunleavy and Nicky Joyce. The latter was axed from the panel for disciplinary reasons. Bergin will start at wing-forward, while Clancy will be a part of a full-forward line that also includes Seanie Armstrong and Michael Meehan.
Galway Team:
A Fahery, D Burke, F Hanley, N Coyne, G Bradshaw, D Blake, D Meehan, P Conroy, G O'Donnell, C Bane, P Joyce, J Bergin, S Armstrong, M Meehan, M Clancy
The Tribesmen had a good run in this year's GAA Allianz NFL Division 1; just losing out to Derry for a spot in the final. While Sligo were crowned Allianz Div 4 champions. Galway go into Sunday's match as clear favorites and I don't see an upset happening. Therefore, Galway should be good enough to win and book their place in the Connacht Final against Mayo on Sunday July 19th.
Winner: Galway
Thursday, June 25, 2009
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