Galway hold all the aces

CONNACHT SFC GALWAY v LEITRIM:THIS YEAR'S championship seems to be filled with lop-sided encounters. Leitrim have not beaten Galway since 1994 and there is little prospect of that changing here.

Leitrim's cause would be helped if, when playing either Mayo or Galway, they could be guaranteed home advantage. Last year, they were sticky and organised against Galway, who relied on a timely flourish of class from Nickey Joyce to get them out of trouble.

Joyce was unstoppable that day; tomorrow, it is likely to be Michael Meehan or Paul Conroy or the other Joyce. Galway have options; what Leitrim boss Dessie Dolan would do to have forwards like Seán Armstrong and Cormac Bane on the bench. With John McKeon leading a decent defence, Leitrim should be no pushovers. And it is likely they will load midfield where Galway's Niall Coleman gets another chance. But while Declan Maxwell can be a handful, it is impossible to see them matching Galway, who beat Roscommon by 16 points, on the scoreboard.

If this was in Carrick, a tight and perfectly atmospheric ground, then maybe. But in Salthill, Galway look a different prospect.

GALWAY:P Doherty; G Bradshaw, F Hanley, D Burke; D Meehan, N Coyne, G Sice; N Coleman, L Lydon; P Conroy, P Joyce, N Joyce; M Clancy, M Meehan, F Breathnach.

LEITRIM:E Lyons:D Reynolds, J McKeon, M McGuinness; G Reynolds, B Prior, S Foley; G McCloskey and M Duignan; D O'Connor, P McGuinness, M Foley; E Mulligan, D Maxwell, D Brennan.

GUIDELINES
In the last episode:Galway 0-17, Leitrim 1-10. In front of an appreciative Carrick crowd, Leitrim went hell for leather at Galway, whose subdued form was a portent of what lay ahead in the Connacht final. But for a couple of terrible wides, Leitrim could have managed a famous victory. In the end, a great display of shooting by Nickey Joyce enabled Galway to ride it out.
On your marks:Galway are one step away from a Connacht final and are still trying to iron out their midfield. The injury to Joe Bergin has thrown that sector into chaos. Niall Coleman returns for this game in place of Barry Cullinane, where he will partner Mark Lydon. A steady axis is required before Galway reach the business end of the championship.
You bet:Galway are 1/12 and Leitrim are available at 9/1. A draw match is priced at 14/1.
Gaining ground:Pearse Stadium is not the most intimidating of venues but it has a big playing surface that suits Galway's mobile forwards and their expansive attacking style.
Just the ticket:Stand tickets are €30. Terrace tickets are €20 with the usual concessions.
Crystal gazing:A Galway win by 10 points would be no great surprise.