Manager appeals to supporters as Galway minors face Roscommon

The Galway minor footballers face Roscommon in the Connacht championship semi-final this Saturday (5.30pm) in Tuam Stadium.

It is a must-win game for both sides. The losers are out of the 2012 championship; the winners will take on Mayo in the Connacht final and an automatic place in the All-Ireland quarter-finals.

Galway manager Tommie Joyce is under no illusions about next Saturday’s clash.

“Roscommon are third favourites to win the All-Ireland and they have four or five lads from last year. It is going to be very tough to get over them on this weekend, but we have worked hard over the last few months and the mood is very good in our squad.”

Joyce is joined by John Concannon, Kevin Johnston and Denis Carr in the management team, and they are expecting big performances from team captain Conor Cunningham, Ger Gibbons, Stephen Lawless, Liam Silke, Adrian Nolan, Seán Hughes and Gary Kelly. The team is to be announced after training tonight (Thursday).

Joyce is uging Galway supporters to come out and support his young team.

“Roscommon had a big win over Leitrim in the first round and they had huge support at that game, and we are appealing to the Galway supporters to come out in numbers and give the team a cheer on home turf this Saturday evening.

“They are a great bunch of young men and they deserve all the support they can get. They have worked really hard over the past few months and they are highly motivated to get a win on Saturday.”