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Sean Kelly Hails Grieving Galway Hero Connor Gleeson In Rousing Speech After Connacht SFC Win

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Rob O'Halloran
By Rob O'Halloran
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There was major drama in the Connacht Senior Football Championship as Galway left it late to pinch a third consecutive crown against rivals Mayo on Sunday afternoon.

Padraic Joyce's men made it a hat-trick of JJ Nestor Cups for the first time since 1984 after a dramatic conclusion at Pearse Stadium.

Goalkeeper Connor Gleeson showed remarkable composure, with the additonal five minutes played and the score level, to kick his side to a 0-16 to 0-15 win.

There were raucous celebrations when the ball split the posts on a day where Damien Comer was in flying form and Shane Walsh padded the scoreboard late on.

But it was Gleeson who was the hero, thriving under the pressure and captain Sean Kelly gave further context to the goalkeeper's heroics in his winning speech.

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Galway's Sean Kelly hails grieving match-winner Connor Gleeson

Kelly made a point of singling out Gleeson - whose grandmother passed away last weekend - following their provincial title win, paying tribute to his bravery on the day.

"Before I start my speech, I want to give a massive round of applause and a massive thanks to Connor Gleeson,' Kelly said.

"Not many know, but he had to bury someone close to him this week, and to do what he did today, there was definitely someone looking down on him.

"So a massive roar for Conor Gleeson, who was the winning of it for us today."

Speaking to RTE's The Sunday Game following the win, a thrilled Gleeson revealed that did not expect to be on kicking duty until a message came his way during the week.

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"It is mad... It is something everyone dreams of and I never thought I would be the one kicking it.

"I was delighted to get the opportunity and am just relieved that it went over (the bar).

"During the week John Concannon, the selector, sent me a message to start practicing them and they were going well so I got the nod."

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Galway manager Joyce, who showed real faith in backing Gleeson to start the final, spoke to reporters after the game about the player's strength in trying circumstances.

"He is a very popular character in the room," Joyce said.

"He buried his grandmother on Tuesday. His grandmother passed away last weekend and they had the funeral Tuesday.

"He landed into training on Tuesday (evening). I told him to stay away from training and we would see him at the weekend - but he came in. That is a measure of the man and the Gleeson family.

"I am sure that kick was for her today. Fair play and I am absolutely delighted for him."

A remarkable showing of character from Gleeson, who has cemented his legacy in a Galway shirt after his match-winning heroics.

SEE ALSO: Stephen Jones Takes Random Dig At GAA After Historic Leinster Win

 

 

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