Leitrim face tough task against highly rated Galway in Tuam Semi-Final

Leitrim's first team in championship action for 2023 sees the  U20 side travel to Tuam next Tuesday, April 4, to take on a heavily favoured Galway in the Eirgrid Connacht U20  Semi Final (6.30  throw-in).

Brendan Guckian's side met  the Tribesmen in the Minor grade back in 2020 but the 2-17 to 0-12 victory is somewhat misleading as Galway hit 2-7 to 0-2 in the final quarter to turn what had been a very close game into a cakewalk.

Three members of the Leitrim Seniors feature for the U20s with much of the burden falling on Barry McNulty. The Glencar Manorhamilton player was a sub three years ago but he has developed into one of Leitrim's brightest prospects.

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McNulty is joined by fellow Senior panellists Radek Oberwan and Michael McKiernan which will give Leitrim plenty of power around the middle of the field along with Gavin Reynolds of St Mary's. Upfront, Paul Moran & Jack Casey offer a real scoring threat while Mohill's Conor Quinn has the potential to pop up with a goal at crucial moments.

Galway beat Dublin in the John Kerins Cup Final having defeated Cork and Laois in the group stages after suffering a first round loss to Roscommon. Conal Gallagher and Cillian O Curraoin were the driving forces three years ago for Galway and they remain at the heart of the Tribe team who will have the advantage of playing at home next Tuesday.

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LEITRIM 2-11 SLIGO 1-15

With most of Leitrim's focus on the Allianz League and the trip to New York the following weekend, it is understandable that this contest is slipping under the radar.  Leitrim had mixed results in the Philly McGuinness Cup which doesn't inspire overt confidence and the odds definitely favour the home side who have designs on the All Ireland title. But as they showed last year against Mayo, this Leitrim team have the potential to cause an upset if they hit form.

The Leitrim team who defeated Longford in the Philly McGuinness U20 Cup Picture: Willie Donnellan