Finnerty fires late to steal victory for Galway

A late goal from Galway’s Robert Finnerty in the 72nd minute agonisingly broke Sligo hearts in the Connacht semi-final. The Tribesmen snatched a late, late victory over their opponents, who led right up until the crucial score in this enthralling encounter in Markievicz Park.

Sligo were extremely impressive throughout and were inches away from booking their place in successive Connacht SFC deciders. Canice Mulligan, captain Niall Murphy and Paddy O’Connor excelled for Tony McEntee’s side, as they led by three points on 63 minutes. Galway didn’t look their usual selves, hitting five wides in the second half, as it looked like the Yeats County were going to cause a major upset.

However, Galway substitute Damien Comer made a huge impact coming off the bench in the second half and a rare mistake from Sligo gifted possession to their opponents, Comer and Johnny Heaney offloading to Finnerty who smashed home.

Galway, bidding for their third Connacht title in a row, blitzed their way to the semi-final with victory over London, while McEntee’s men were comfortable nine-point winners over Leitrim.

Both sides contested the Connacht final last year and underdogs Sligo were hoping to make amends for that 14-point defeat against the 2022 All-Ireland finalists, two divisions above them in the league. Many expected Galway to cruise to victory but the hosts hadn’t read the script.

Sligo looked extremely sharp in the first half with a superb start. Leading by three points at the interval with Galway missing two goal chances, the Yeats county were in front by nine points to six at halftime with the slight breeze favouring Pádraic Joyce’s men.

Nathan Mullen opened the scoring in the second minute after a bright start for the hosts. Galway’s Shane Walsh, returning from injury, set up Jack McCabe with Sligo ’keeper Aidan Devaney doing well as the ball drifted wide, the first of Galway’s six wides of the opening half.

On six minutes, Galway threatened on goal, Finnerty setting up Céin Darcy whose shot was wide, down the other end, Sligo captain Niall Murphy getting his first from a free on eight minutes from a difficult angle.

Paul Kilcoyne set up Cian Lally who edged Sligo in front by three on 10 minutes as Sligo looked comfortable. Paddy O’Connor and Murphy were impressing for Sligo as last year’s under-20 captain Canice Mulligan hit their fourth point on 12 minutes, Alan McLoughlin setting him up.

Walsh got Galway off the mark on 13 minutes as Galway then had their first chances on goal, Cein Darcy finding Jack McCabe who also shot wide on 14 minutes.

The excellent O’Connor hit Sligo’s fifth point as they led by four before Galway hit three on the bounce, Dylan McHugh, Johnny Heaney and Finnerty on target as it was back to a one-point game on 23 minutes.

Sligo’s defence led by full-back Eddie McGuinness was working hard as Paul McNamara and O’Connor were involved in setting up Darragh Cummins for their sixth point. O’Connor added two more from play followed by a huge score from McLoughlin as they led by three at the interval and looked in control.

Finnerty added another after the resumption but Sligo rallied again, Murphy with a well-taken mark and a fine score from Mikey Gordon putting them in front by four on 40 minutes as Comer entered the fray and pointed moments later.

Finnerty reduced the gap to two from a free as Comer added another on 47 minutes. McLoughlin again responded for Sligo and the St Molaise Gaels man was involved in setting up Seán Carrabine for their 13th point on 51 minutes as a goal separated them.

Comer had a chance on goal that Devaney got his fingertips on, Sligo dealing with the increased pressure. McNamara and O’Connor set up Murphy for Sligo’s next score on 58 minutes as Galway hit two wides on the bounce with Darcy running from distance and his fisted effort coming of the upright on 67 minutes.

Substitute Kieran Molloy brought it back to a two-point game on 69 minutes as Darcy then reduced the deficit further as the game entered added time. However, there was heartbreak to come for Sligo as on 72 minutes, Galway gifted possession and Comer and Heaney set up Finnerty who blasted to the net and shattered Sligo’s hearts.

Scorers — Galway: R Finnerty 1-5 (1f); C Darcy, D Comer 0-2 each; D McHugh, J Heaney, S Walsh, C Darcy, 0-1 each. Sligo: N Murphy

(1f, 1m), P O’Connor 0-3 each; N Mullen A McLoughlin 0-2 each; C Lally, C Mulligan, S Carrabine, M Gordon 0-1 each.

Galway: C Gleeson; J McGrath, S Fitzgerald, J Glynn; D McHugh, J Daly, L Silke; P Conroy, S Kelly; J Keaney, S Walsh, C Darcy; J McCabe, R Finnerty, L Ó’Conghaile. Subs: D Comer for McCabe (42), R Cunningham for Walsh

(47), D O’ Flaherty for Daly (54), K Molloy for Ó’Conghaile, P Egan for Conroy (64).

Sligo: A Devaney; E Lyons, E McGuinness, P McNamara; B Cox, N Mullen, D Cummins; S Carrabine, C Mulligan; C Lally, A McLaughin, P O’Connor; P Kilcoyne, N Murphy, M Gordon. Subs: L Deignan for Gordon (52), M Walsh for Lally (62), P Laffey for Cummins (65), E Smith for Carrabine (67), D Conlon for O’Connor (70). Referee: B Tiernan (Dublin).