Galway saw off a spirited effort from Leitrim in Carrick-on-Shannon this afternoon to secure their passage to an 11th consecutive Connacht senior football championship final against either Mayo or Roscommon on May 10th.

It finished 1-20 to 2-12 at Páirc Seán MacDiarmada, where three points off the bench from Shane Walsh helped the Tribesmen safely over the line after having conceded an unanswered 1-4 during the closing 10 minutes of the game.

Jack Kelly’s goal in the 66th minute was backed up by a Killian Gaffney ‘45’ and two-pointer from Paul Honeyman, which brought Leitrim within a goal (1-17 to 2-11) before two points from Walsh (one free) and a Rob Finnerty free sealed the victory for Padraic Joyce’s side.

.@Galway_GAA are starting to find their rhythm as Rob Finnerty hits a 2 pointer after a turnover🎶 @AIB_GAA pic.twitter.com/d5H7MHHd2Q

— GAA+ (@GAAPlusOfficial) April 25, 2026

The visitors’ superior start saw them up by five points after 20 minutes and two-pointers from Finnerty and Liam O Conghaile would help them to hold a 0-11 to 0-4 advantage at the interval.

Cillian McDaid extended that lead early in the restart before Steven Poacher’s men got motoring with a two-point free from long range specialist Barry McNulty.

Ryan O’Rourke saw a penalty saved after that, with Oisin McLoughlin to bury in the rebound and the latter would send over a point afterwards to leave three between the sides.

The holders responded by registering four scores unanswered – including a Dylan McHugh goal – but the home side weren’t willing to throw in the towel, as substitute Kelly found the net after a Riordan O’Rourke point and more scores from Gaffney and Honeyman would keep the heat on Joyce’s men until their experienced marksmen sent over late scores which insured there’d be no upset.

😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨

Shane Walsh with the dummy ➡️ Paul Conroy with the finish🤌 @AIB_GAA pic.twitter.com/srNDIHxl00

— GAA+ (@GAAPlusOfficial) April 25, 2026

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