Galway may well turn up for this Bank of Ireland Connacht semi-final in an ambulance rather than on a bus. The absence of the 1998 All-Ireland campaign's best defender - Tomas Mannion - and attacker - Ja Fallon - is compounded by the continuing unavailability of centrefielder Kevin Walsh, whose injury-free hiatus two years ago played such a major role in the team's success.

There are also question marks over the fitness of John Divilly and Sean de Paor, and Michael Donnellan has yet to get back within yelping distance of his awesome best. On the credit side, Joe Bergin's emergence has been a welcome - if rare - addition to the playing stock. Last year's minor has impressed on his outings this season and has the facility to switch, like Fallon, between attack and centrefield. But for all Bergin's promise it's asking a lot for him to compensate for the loss of Walsh and Fallon.

Leitrim's great achievement last weekend was a seismic shock for Roscommon, who were expected to pose a large obstacle again this year. Indeed many now see tomorrow's match as the "real" final. Sligo have a couple of strengths aside from the home venue where they have held Galway to a draw three times in the past five years, including 12 months ago. They are a settled team and have been well drilled by Mickey Moran. As one experienced observer puts it: "You can tell that they're well trained because they can carry out training routines in match situations."

Moran's game plan covers the team's limitations. A carrying, marauding game, hunting in packs, helps to disguise the lack of pace up front. Key to this is a formidable centrefield anchored by Paul Durcan and directed by Eamonn O'Hara. From there back, the picture is less impressive and even a debilitated Galway deserve to be favourites.

Fallon's absence and Donnellan's form shouldn't distract from the potency in the forwards of Padraig Joyce and Derek Savage. Paul Clancy, so unlucky with injury two years ago, is back and this strengthens the attack.

Recent shocks and injuries should have purged Galway of any complacency. They may struggle at centrefield, but Sligo need to combine their pressing game with more varied defence, because unlike Mayo, Galway will let the ball go quickly into Joyce and Savage.

This is a good opportunity for Sligo but the feeling here is that Galway will survive.