Connacht GAA Third level Junior football final

University of Galway…………3-17

ATU Sligo…………2-16

By Michael O’ Connor.

Speed and movement off the ball not usually associated with Junior football was in plentiful supply at the Connacht University Of Galway dome on Thursday evening last as University of Galway took on ATU Sligo in a repeat of the 2023 final won on penalties by the North Eastern college. As the driving wind and rain enveloped the Mayo venue all inside were relaxing and enthralled as to what emerged to be one of the better games of football played at third level in 2023-24 season. The winners had three players who tallied (3-13) as ATUS had two who contributed (2-8) so forward power was evident on the day.

Cormac Browne who ended up with seven points including four from angles senior players would struggle to achieve opened the scoring for Galway before raiding corner forward Eamonn Flyn struck for the games first score before University of Galway full forward added a point all by the 5th minute.

ATUSligo following this early setback settled to their task and points from Barry Thompson and Galway native Darragh King either side of another Cormac Browne score left University of Galway (1-3) to (0-2) ahead after 12 minutes but with their opponents beginning to assert authority after a slow start. Padraig Meaghair for Galway and a stunning score from Sligo’s Cian Molloy quickly following by ATUSligo best forward Jamie Barry Guing and another from Darragh King left just two between the sides at the end of the opening quarter in the University of Galway Connacht GAA dome. In the second quarter both defences got to grips with their immediate opponents the sides sharing eight scores. Lorcan McEntee, Shane Loughrey, and Cormac Browne (2) were the University of Galway sharpshooters as Jamie Barry Guing (2), Darragh Breslin and Emmet Regan responded for Sligo to leave the Galway college nervous (1-8) to (0-9) ahead at half time.

Eamonn Flynn struck for the first score of the new half before disaster struck for his side and ATUS struck with ease for two goals in less than a minute. First off, Darragh King won a penalty blasted to the net by Jamie Barry Guing to level the game before a high ball in from the next Sligo attack was not held by Sean Og Hynes and it fell into the hands of Darragh King and he goaled from close range and now ATUS were (2-9) to (0-9) ahead five minutes into the second half.

The winning of the tie materialised in the intervening four minutes as Cormac Browne with three of the better scores of this year from narrow angles dragged Galway level once more. ATUS went ahead soon after before Shane Loughrey and Kevin Lambert restored a short lived University of Galway lead. Both sides started to bring on replacements as the Galway half back line was beginning to dominate. Jamie Barry Guing drew the sides together once more before Eamonn Flynn and Cormac Browne with a score each and a second Galway goal from Shane Loughrey following a sublime ball from Peter Grant left the eventual winners (2-16) to (2-11) ahead. Darragh Breslin dragged back one score for ATUSligo but a superb goal from Eamonn Flynn that he set up in his own back line and received back to finish from 20metres stretched his sides lead out to seven points. Liam McKinney, a dual star alongwith Peter Grant, both Donegalmen for college had the final score for the winners as Jamie Barry Guing and Barry Thompson tried for late goals but managed just minors as the title was secured for the University of Galway who now move on to play University of Limerick in the All Ireland semi final.

Best for the winners included Jack O’ Brien, Liam McKinney, Eanna O Curraoin, Peter Grant, Cormac Browne, Eamonn Flynn, Shane Loughrey, Tadgh Daly and Padraig Meaghair. ATUSligo just did build on the two goals they scored after half time and allowed Galway to reimpose themselves. ATUSligo had good showings from Jamie Barry Guing, Barry Thompson, Cian Molloy, Darragh Breslin, Emmet Regan, Brian Donoghue, Darragh King and Liam Faulkner.

Following the game Padraig McGourty of Third Level GAA presented the Connacht Junior football cup to University of Galway captain Eanna O Curraoin

University of Galway scorers: Eamonn Flynn (2-3), Cormac Browne (0-7), Shane Loughrey (1-3), Padraig Meaghair, Lorcan McEntee, Kevin Lambert, Liam McKinney (0-1) each

University of Galway: Sean Og Hynes (Mullingar Shamrocks, Westmeath), Martin O Cualain (Carna Caiseal, Galway), Jack O’ Brien (Shandonagh, Westmeath), Donal Kearney (Western Gaels, Roscommon), Liam McKinney (Burt, Donegal), Eanna O Curraoin (An Spiddeal, Galway), Peter Grant (St Patricks, Donegal), Tadgh Daly (An Ceathru Rua, Galway), Kevin Lambert (St Croans, Roscommon), Cormac Browne (St Brigids, Meath), Padraig Meaghair (St Marys. Sligo), Hugh McDonagh (Cortoon Shamrocks, Galway), Eamonn Flynn (St Mary’s, Sligo), Shane Loughrey (Caltra, Galway), Lorcan MceEntee (Nobber, Meath). Subs: Thomas Gallagher (Dunderry, Meath), Oisin O’ Coisdealbha (Micheal Breathnachs, Galway), Sean Gavigan (Tyrrelspass, Westmeath), Rian Brady (St Barrys, Roscommon), Daniel Martin (St Mary’s, Leitrim), Conall McGowan (Tourmakeady, Mayo)

ATUSligo scorers: James Barry Guing (1-6), Darragh King (1-2), Barry Thompson, Darragh Breslin (0-2), Emmet Regan, Michael Langan (0-1)

ATUSligo: Ryan Smith (Fenagh St Cailins, Leitrim), Ross O’ Keely (Four Masters, Donegal), Brian Donoghue (Cloone, Leitrim), Keelan Devanney (Shannon Gaels, Roscommon), Liam Faulkner (The Downs, Westmeath), Kyle McCrann ( St Mary’s, Leitrim), Dara Williams (St Pats, Sligo), Dara Breslin (Aughnawilliam, Leitrim), Cian Molloy, (Caherlistrane, Galway), Emmet Regan (St Marys, Leitrim), Darragh King, (Monivea Abbeyknockmoy, Galway), Gavin Murray (Elphin, Roscommon), Barry Thompson (Ballinabrackey, Meath), Jamie Barry Guing, (Clonbullogue, Offaly) Michael Langan (St Molaise Gaels, Sligo). Subs: David Keely (Sean McDermotts, Monaghan), Con Doyle (Kilturbid, Leitrim), Oisin Murray (The Downs, Westmeath), Gill Jennings (Ballinrobe, Mayo), Niall Martyn (Monivea, Galway), Oisin Kerins (Clones, Monaghan), Sean Moran (St Michaels, Roscommon), Luke Rooney (Currin, Monaghan), Eoin Gibney (St Mary’s Leitrim) Rhys Henry (Tubbercurry, Sligo), Eoin Langan (Ballinrobe, Mayo), Cian Gillespie (St Columbas, Donegal)

Referee: Brendan Healy (Roscommon)