Leitrim missed out on the Connacht final with just five point separating Galway and Leitrim in Carrick-on-Shannon.
Galway booking a place in the Connacht final after a massive Galway comeback.
The opening score was seven minutes in the making, John Daly grabbing the first score of the day from play.
Rob Finnerty and Finnian O Laoi added further points as Galway moved into a three point lead after 11 minutes.
Leitrim opened their account for the day when Riordan O’Rourke clipped over a point from play. Liam O’Conghaile replying for Galway, keeping their three point lead intact.
Paul Conroy and Killian Gaffey traded two pointers for either side within three minutes of each other as Galway held onto a three point lead.
Rob Finnerty landed Galway’s second two-pointer of the day on 26 minutes, as Cillian McDaid opened his own account. Galway fine tuning their sights towards the end of the first-half.
Ben Guckian got a much needed score for the hosts after 29 minutes, as the Leitrim defence continued to make life difficult for Galway in the opening-half.
Liam O’Conghaile brought a seven minute scoring draught to an end on the brink of half-time. O’Conghaile kicked Galway’s third two-pointer of the first-half, sending the Tribesmen into the break with a seven point lead.
At half-time Galway leading by seven points, 11 points to four.
Cillian McDaid opened the scoring for the second-half before Leitrim tore up the script with a strong second half performance.
Barry McNulty struck a two-pointer on 45 minutes before Galway goalkeeper Conor Flaherty was shown a black card for foul inside his area.
Ryan O’Rourke’s penalty saved but Oisin McLoughlin was on hand to bury the rebound.
Johnny Maher and Oisin McLoughlin traded scores in the space of a minute, as Shane Walsh was making his presence known on the pitch following his introduction with a well taken point from play.
Leitrim comeback
Paul Conroy raised another orange flag for Galway on 55 minutes. In response Dylan McHugh sunk Leitrim hearts with a 57th minute goal.
Leitrim rallied again. Jack Kelly got their second goal of the afternoon when a short Galway kick out broke down.
Goalkeeper, Killian Gaffey landed a 45 and Paul Honeyman landed a huge two pointer.
Leitrim reducing the 10-point deficit to three in the space of three minutes. Galway leading 2-11 to 1-17 with an hour played.
Ryan O’Rourke converted a free inside the final 10 minutes but efforts from Shane Walsh and Rob Finnerty saw Galway across the line to book a place in their 11th consecutive provincial final.
Galway running out five point winners, 1-20 to 2-12.
