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Joyce sent off as Galway progress

Galway 3-9 GMIT 0-10: Padraic Joyce will miss the start of the National League after being harshly dismissed as Galway qualified…

Mon Jan 21 2008 - 00:00

Galway 3-9 GMIT 0-10:Padraic Joyce will miss the start of the National League after being harshly dismissed as Galway qualified for the final of the Connacht League in Spiddal yesterday. Joyce, making his first appearance of the year, was given a red card after 21 minutes for a challenge on Rory McTiernan.

Moments earlier McTiernan had been booked for a late tackle on Michael Comer, which forced the Galway corner back to go off.

Five players were also booked in a game that was well-contested rather than dirty.

Galway looked to be in trouble following Joyce's dismissal as they trailed by 0-3 to 0-2 but the introduction of Micheál Meehan swung the game in favour of Liam Sammon's men. Meehan set up Joyce's cousin Nicky for a 25th-minute goal before landing a point from a 45-metre free to give them a 1-4 to 0-4 interval lead.

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The introduction of Joe Bergin saw Galway take control in midfield where Paul Geraghty was impressive and they pulled away when Meehan slotted home a 44th-minute goal after a superb long pass from Bergin.

Meehan again turned provider for Gary Sice to find the net with six minutes remaining. GMIT reduced the deficit with three points from Michael Martin.

Galway will meet NUIG in the final on February 23rd.

GALWAY: P Doherty; D Finnegan, F Hanley, M Comer; A Burke, D Blake, G O'Donnell; B Cullinane, P Geraghty (0-1); P Joyce (0-1, free), F Breathnach (0-2), D Meehan; D Ward, N Coleman, N Joyce (1-0). Subs: G Sice (1-0) for Comer inj (20 mins), M Meehan (1-3, one free, one 45) for Ward (24 mins), J Bergin for Cullinane (half-time), C Bane (0-2, one free) for N Joyce (45 mins), K Fitzgerald for O'Donnell (56 mins).

GMIT: D Dowd; D Vaughan, S Walsh, N Darby; C Garvey, R McTiernan, P McGrath; K Conroy, T Hughes; J Hayes, P McGinley, P Conroy (0-1); M Martin (0-4, three frees, one 45), W Fallon, M Conroy (0-3, two frees). Subs: S Griffin (0-1) for Fallon (41 mins), D Hogan for McGrath (43 mins), C Glynn for T Hughes (46 mins), E Concannon for P Conroy (52 mins), S Hughes for McTiernan (55 mins).

Referee: P McGovern (Galway).