Galway minor footballers ring the changes

Date Published: 25-Aug-2010

STEPHEN GLENNON

TOWERING Athenry midfielder Thomas Flynn makes a timely return to the Galway minor footballers’ starting fifteen – which shows four changes to the side that defeated Leinster champions, Longford last day out – for their All-Ireland semi-final showdown with Cork at Croke Park on Sunday (1:30pm).

Flynn sustained a serious hand injury in a club game before Galway’s Connacht final defeat to Mayo, but made his return to action when introduced as an impact substitute in the 0-10 to 1-6 quarter-final victory over Longford.

Indeed, the Galway management had a horrific time with injuries earlier in the summer, losing captain Eanna Ó hEochaidh (An Spidéal) – who only returned to training last Thursday evening, although manager Gerry Fahy insists this game has come just too soon for him – with a broken collarbone and vice captain Flynn.

Leitir Mór defender Colm McDonnacha also missed the provincial decider with a knee injury but, like Flynn, has recovered to take his place in the right corner back position in place of Moycullen’s Philip Ezergalis who has picked up a back injury.

Wing-backs Tom Curran and Fiach Ó Bearra have also been replaced in the starting line up. Curran only returned to training this week following a groin strain, so his berth is filled by St. Gabriel’s Mark Loughnane. Clifden’s Jack Vaughan supplants Ó Bearra, with the Breathnach’s teenager now providing cover for the offensive lines.

With Flynn coming back into midfield, Micheál Breathnach’s Fiontán Ó Curraoin – who retains the captaincy which he has embraced since the absence of Flynn and Ó hEochaidh – moves to centre-forward. Rinvyle corner man Cathal O’Neill loses out in the reshuffle.