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Joyce comes on to inspire Galway win

Galway 1-14 Monaghan 0-12: SUBSTITUTE PÁDRAIG Joyce drove Galway to victory at Pearse Park, Longford, in front of a paltry attendance…

Mon Mar 26 2012 - 01:00

Galway 1-14 Monaghan 0-12:SUBSTITUTE PÁDRAIG Joyce drove Galway to victory at Pearse Park, Longford, in front of a paltry attendance of 575 yesterday. The game, a home match for Monaghan at a neutral venue, saw the supporters vote with their feet.

Joyce settled Galway and hit three points, two from frees. His calming effect was crucial to Galway’s late surge, although their winning margin probably flatters them a little as the goal came three minutes into stoppage time.

Monaghan dominated the first half and should have been further in front than two-points, 0-8 to 0-6, at half-time. Paul Conroy helped generate Galway’s recovery as he finished the half with three points, two from long-range frees.

Joyce had an immediate impact when introduced at the start of the second half with a point from a free to reduce the deficit to the minimum and, along with Conroy, stretched the Monaghan defence. Entering the final quarter Monaghan still held a one-point lead despite spurning a number of good chances.

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Galway went two in front with four unanswered points between the 18th and 22nd minutes of the half, one apiece by Gary Sice and Gary O’Donnell and two by Joyce, one from a free. Monaghan fought back to parity with two points by Paul Finlay and they then had a chance to retake the lead but Finlay was wide from a placed ball.

Conroy hit two points for Galway in the 32nd and 34th minutes and they at least ensure Division Two survival when substitute Danny Cummins rifled to the Monaghan net from close range.

GALWAY:A Faherty; K McGrath, F Hanley, C Forde; G Bradshaw, J Duane, G O'Donnell (0-1); T Flynn, J Bergin; G Sice (0-1), D Burke, M Hehir (0-2, one free); M Martin (0-1), P Conroy (0-6, two frees), C Bane. Subs: G Higgins for M Martin, D Cummins (1-0) for C Bane, P Joyce (0-3, one free) for D Burke, M Boyle for M Hehir, N Coleman for T Flynn.

MONAGHAN:M Keogh; K Duffy, V Corey, C Walshe; D Malone, D Wylie, G McQuaid (0-1); O Lennon, D Clerkin (0-1); P Finlay (0-6, four frees), D Hughes (0-2), J Turley; O Duffy, K Hughes, C McGuinness (0-1). Subs: C Hanratty for C McGuinness, D Mone for D Wylie, S Smyth (0-1) for O Duffy, N McAdam for K Hughes, D Morgan for G McQuaid.

Referee:C Reilly (Meath).