Galway pay the price for not finishing off Leitrim

Leitrim 1-10

Galway 2-6

A composed free-kick from the hands of Man of the Match Emlyn Mulligan saw Leitrim snatch a narrow but deserved victory at the end of a competitive FBD League tie which was played out in appalling conditions at Duggan Park, Ballinasloe, on Sunday.

While Galway manager Alan Mulholland would have been happy with the level of commitment shown, a litany of missed chances and harmless balls into Leitrim goalkeeper Cathal McCrann earlier in the game eventually cost the experimental home side.

The Tribesmen looked to be in the driving seat when they led by 0-5 to 0-4 at half-time, but Sean Hagan’s men attacked with conviction after the break and never lost their composure despite conceding two goals in just three minutes going into the closing stretch.

Despite the incessant rain, a passionate 500-strong crowd turned up to see a Galway team which had no less than seven changes to the starting XV from the side which beat Sligo the previous weekend, including Ballinasloe players Nathan King and James Shaughnessy.

Both of the local lads performed well, with Shaughnessy looking comfortable at corner back and King making some good saves, but the Tribesmen had problems further up the field in the opening period as a series of short balls were dealt with far too easily by McCrann.

Galway will now take on GMIT in the final group game at Tuam Stadium on Sunday (2pm).