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Joyce returns to inspire Galway

NFL Galway 4-16 Sligo 0-7: Sligo's league campaign went from bad to worse at Tuam Stadium when they collapsed in the second …

Mon Mar 07 2005 - 00:00

NFL Galway 4-16 Sligo 0-7: Sligo's league campaign went from bad to worse at Tuam Stadium when they collapsed in the second half as Peter Ford guided Galway to a 21-point victory against his former side.

Sligo, having lost their opening games to Down and Laois, trailed by 1-7 to 0-7 at half-time but, just when it seemed they were poised to shock Galway, their challenge disintegrated and they failed to score in the second half, while Galway got 3-9.

The only goal of the opening half came a minute before the break when Michael Meehan blasted home a penalty.

Meehan and Paul Clancy extended Galway's lead within 90 seconds of the restart but lost Joe Bergin to a yellow card in the 46th minute. That did little to disrupt their flow, however, with Padraic Joyce marking his return to action with a goal after 48 minutes which put them 2-10 to 0-7 ahead.

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Joyce was involved with brother Tommie in putting Meehan through for his second goal after 54 minutes.

Substitute Seán Armstrong announced his arrival with three points from play while Padraic Joyce put Derek Savage through for Galway's fourth goal eight minutes from time.

GALWAY: B Donoghue; V Feeney, K Fitzgerald, C Monaghan; T Costelloe, D Meehan, M Comer; J Bergin (0-1), N Coleman (0-1); P Clancy (0-1), P Joyce (1-0), T Joyce (0-2), D Savage (1-2), M Meehan (2-5, 1-0 penalty, 0-4 frees, 0-1 45), M Clancy. Subs: S Armstrong (0-3) for Bergin (47 mins), T Meehan for Feeney (inj 51 mins), K Brady for Costelloe (57 mins), S Walsh (0-1) for M Meehan (61 mins), T Giblin for Monaghan (63 mins).

SLIGO: P Green; P Naughton, J Martyn, B Phillips; J Davey, N McGuire, D Durkin; D McGarty (0-1), E O'Hara; B Egan, M Breheny (0-2, one free), B Curran (0-1); K O'Neill, S Davey (0-3, one sideline), G McGowan. Subs: A Marren for Durkin, 25 mins; C Neary for Phillips, 34 mins; T Taylor for McGarty, 47 mins; N Clancy for Davey, 59 mins.

YELLOW CARDS: Galway - Bergin (46 mins, replaced by S Armstrong). Sligo - B Phillips (34 mins, replaced by C Neary), S Davey (59 mins, replaced by N Clancy).

Referee: J Geaney (Cork).