Mayo minor boss Ray Dempsey has revealed that he can't wait for this Sunday's Connacht MFC semi-final with Galway at Markievicz Park. It has been nearly three months since the 2008 All-Ireland finalists have played a competitive game, while their opponents defeated Sligo to reach the last four, but Dempsey is hoping that it's not something which will work against them. "We're really looking forward to it at this stage because it's been 12 weeks since our last league game," said Dempsey. "Galway have had the advantage of a match, they've played Sligo already, so that's something we'll have to cope with on the day. "But I'm very pleased how preparations have gone," he added. "We coach, and encourage players to have no regrets. These matches are won and lost a long way from the day of the game itself. But you still don't know how you stand until you're in the middle of a championship game." Many Mayo fans will be hoping that their minors can retain their provincial crown this summer and go on from there, but Dempsey explains that a lot will boil down to Sunday's meeting with their great rivals if they want to go far in the All-Ireland series this year. "It's hard to make comparisons yet with last year's team because we haven't gone down the championship route. We'll know a lot more after the first game," he explained. "Players have to have goals and ambitions. They have to know where they want to go. It lifts me to see lads that want to represent their county but they have to want more. "It's about winning championship matches, and wanting to be one of the best footballers in Connacht, in the country. Players make their names on the football field. They will either be outstanding with 20 minutes to go or they'll stand a side." Tweet

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