GAELIC GAMES:BOTH THESE teams had something to prove this year and both have done just that. A minor All-Ireland-winning Galway side from 2007 blew it against Sligo last year in the first round in Connacht while Cavan stumbled in the Ulster final. Back they came with ice in their veins.
Cavan, having defeated Tyrone in the Ulster decider, are bringing at least 15,000 to Croke Park tomorrow.
Galway are buoyed by the knowledge they put defending All-Ireland champions Cork to the sword in the semi-final with teenagers Tomás Flynn and Fintan Curran fresh out of minor dominating the midfield landscape while captain Colin Forde is one of four men who tasted the ultimate success at this venue four years ago.
“We won’t know until Sunday if their feet are back on the ground,” said Galway manager Alan Mulholland of the scalping of Cork. The “chinning” they got from Sligo last year ensured the management diluted thoughts of grandeur from seeping into the players’ heads.
“There are a few of us left over from last year and we’re determined to make amends,” said Forde who is due to be return to the senior panel along with Danny Cummins and Johnny Doyle. “We always knew we had good footballers, we always have, and this year was no exception. But there was a concentrated effort on combining that with a hard work-rate.
“The first day we got over Sligo and that gave us a lot of confidence. We then got over Roscommon and we’ve built up a bit of momentum since then.”
They beat the best team in the competition and that makes them favourites. Cavan will attempt to strangle their more fluid approach but Galway to shade it.
GALWAY: M Breathnach; G Sweeney, C Forde, A Tierney; J Moore, J Duane, T Fahy; T Flynn, F O Curraoin; C Doherty, M Hehir, M Boyle; D Cummins, P Sweeney, E Monaghan.
CAVAN: A O’Meara; M Leddy, O Minagh, D Tighe; K Meehan, D Barkey, M Brady; G McKiernan, F Flanagan; N Smith, N Murray, B Reilly; S Mac Bradaigh, N McDermott, P Leddy.
Referee: E Kinsella (Laois).
