This is a match that all of Sligo is positively desperate to win. The county's reappearance in the Connacht showpiece has been something of a surprise after some woebegone performances in recent years.

But all of a sudden, the prevailing mood is that they might pose a slightly pesky obstacle for Galway, who go into this final as heavy favourites.

Optimism for Sligo's chances is partly based on the vague sense that the next Connacht championship must come sooner or later. The landmark achievement of 1975 has become something of an annoyance to the present team, who have enjoyed notable successes over the past five years without cracking Connacht.

Of course, the most conspicuous of those - defeating Tyrone in Croke Park - was achieved under Peter Ford, the Galway manager tomorrow. It would appear Tommy Breheny, who took on the Sligo job in the most unpromising of circumstances, has managed to tap into the sense of conviction with which Sligo played the game in those years. And the team he has selected for tomorrow has a solid look, with big Kieran Quinn and Eamonn O'Hara at midfield and veteran forward John McPartland back in the team. They have a gem of a half back in Johnny Davey and surprised Roscommon with the physicality of their game in the semi-final. Put simply, Sligo will feel this is a match that they have to win.

Galway, in contrast, know it is a game they ought to win. That leaves them with a trickier motivation. They hardly set the world alight against Leitrim, though they did not have to. If they are a genuine All-Ireland contenders, there can be no excuses for not winning this.

The Niall Coleman/Joe Bergin partnership will get its sternest test at midfield, with Barry Cullinane reported to be showing strong form at training. With Seán Armstrong fit again, there is pressure on the high-calibre forward line - and in particular young Cormac Bane - to deliver here. The full-back line, so dependable in the league, also looked vulnerable against Leitrim.

GALWAY: P Doherty; K Fitzgerald, F Hanley, D Burke; M Comer, D Blake, D Meehan; J Bergin, N Coleman; D Savage, J Fallon, N Joyce;M Meehan, P Joyce, C Bane.

SLIGO: P Greene: C Harrison, N McGuire, P Donovan; P McGovern, M McNamara, J Davey; E O'Hara, K Quinn; B Curran, B Egan, D Davey; D Kelly, M Breheny, J McPartland.