CONNACHT SFC SEMI-FINAL: Sligo v Galway: KEVIN WALSH, Galway's Herculean centrefielder in the All-Ireland victories of 1998 and 2001, returns to championship action – this time as a coach – to take on his former team with a place in the Connacht final at stake.
Already Walsh has made a mark, as Sligo have returned to Division Three after a season in the basement.
Their performances have been solid and they will be relaxed or at least expectation-free tomorrow. They have, however, sufficient experience and football to put it up to Galway.
After a season looking after injury, Mark Brehony returns to the Sligo attack but may not have the puff to spend 70 minutes in the company of Finian Hanley.
The biggest problem facing Galway – arguably since Walsh retired – has been the lack of a convincing centrefield. Paul Conroy and Garry O’Donnell will be under scrutiny tomorrow as the sector didn’t flourish in London during the first-round match.Liam Sammon has opted to bring back Declan Meehan but the team is otherwise short a couple of useful players, with Damien Dunleavy injured and Nicky Joyce still suspended from the panel.
Despite this the attack is menacing. Joe Bergin brings ball-winning ability and as shown against Kerry last year, a target-man option if needed. Pádraic Joyce will pull the strings and Sligo need no reminding of what Michael Meehan can do if he gets a run on the defence as he did in 2006.
Even if Sligo have the positive memories of what went right two years ago, it has to be remembered Galway were not in form and are improved in terms of the newer players coming through and on form over the last 18 months.
SLIGO: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 Brehony, A Marren.
GALWAY: A Faherty; 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.
Referee: Derek Fahy (Longford).
In the last episode: The last meeting was a memorable one for Sligo, as they held their nerve for a one-point victory in the 2007 Connacht final at Hyde Park, Roscommon – winning a third provincial title and the first for 32 years.
You bet: Despite having won the most recent meeting between the teams Sligo are a whopping 6/1 with Galway 1/6 and 10/1 the draw.
On your marks: Sligo centre back Neil Ewing, who had an awkward divisional final against Antrim, comes face to face with Galway's chief orchestrator Pádraic Joyce. A big performance here would slow the favourites' momentum.
Gaining ground:Markievicz Park was the venue for the infamous 2000 meeting of the teams when the half-time scoreboard of 0-14 to 0-0 was immortalised in a photograph before Galway ran out 0-22 to 0-4 winners.
Just the ticket:Stands €30. Terrace €20. Children €5 (terrace only).
Crystal gazing: Galway have continued to play well in Division One and even if their All-Ireland credentials aren't convincing they are well capable of winning Connacht again.
