Footballers get back on track against Meath
Date Published: {J}
Galway 1-12Meath 1-11
Frank Farragher at Pearse Stadium
Not always a high protein meal, but yet this win over Meath at Pearse Stadium was full of sustenance as Galway footballers got back on a far healthier high energy diet in their bid to secure their position in Division 2 of the National League.
The heads might have dropped that little bit too much for early March had Galway not delivered a big display on Sunday following the slip-ups against Louth, and especially Westmeath, but this win has re-energised their season, bringing with it a flush of hope and confidence.
It was difficult leaving Mullingar’s Cusack Park a week previous to see where a display like this could come from, but last Sunday Galway went back to basics, fighting tigerishly in every loose exchange, playing the quick and simple ball to the loose man, as well as taking their chances at key moments.
The win has also taken a measure of pressure from the shoulders of manager Alan Mulholland as he tries to juggle the old with the new in an effort to develop a smooth blend for the Summer ahead – last Sunday he will have no quibble over the level of application and commitment shown by his players.
What the new manager will be looking for in their three remaining high profile games against Tyrone (next Sunday) in Tuam, Monaghan and Kildare, will be a sustained level of consistency. So far, Galway have been lively and energetic against Derry and Meath, but very flat in their games against Louth and Westmeath.
There were a few gambles along the way last Sunday, most notably in the selection of Nicky Joyce, after the Killererin clubman had gone through a torrid half against Westmeath the previous Sunday, but it was obvious from the opening minutes that the move was going to pay off.
When he’s tuned in and up for the game, Joyce is one of the game’s most talented forwards and by the time fastidious Dublin referee, Gary McCormack, sounded the interval whistle, he had struck the target five times, three from play and two from frees.
For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.