î Curraoin a major doubt

Date Published: {J}

CIARAN TIERNEY

Midfielder Fiontan O Curraoin is a major injury doubt for the Galway U-21 footballers when they put their All-Ireland and provincial titles on the line against Mayo at McHale Park, Castlebar, tomorrow (7.30 pm) in the Connacht championship.

O Currain has been given as long as possible to regain his fitness after twisting his ankle in the Sigerson Cup as the Tribesmen prepare for a preliminary round clash under lights at the Mayo venue.

If available, the Micheal Breathnach’s man would be able to ensure that no less than seven of the players who started last year’s All-Ireland final against Cavan will be available to Gerry Fahy and his management team.

O Curraoin will hope to renew his partnership with Tom Flynn (Athenry) in the middle of the field which proved so crucial in Galway’s wonderful run to the All-Ireland title – both men have already featured in midfield for Alan Mulholland’s new-look senior side in the Allianz National Football League.

A ‘gentleman’s agreement’ between the management teams saw the U-21s sit out the home win over Meath last Sunday ahead of this ‘winner-takes-all’ clash at McHale Park, as there is no ‘back door’ for the losers.

The Galway team boasts a wealth of experience at this level and team manager Fahy is set to start with goalkeeper Manus Breathnach (An Spideal), defenders Jonathan Duane (St James’) and Gary Sweeney (Mountbellew-Moylough), and attackers Eric Monahan (Caherlistrane) and Patrick Sweeney (Killanin), each of whom featured in last year’s run to the title.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.