If local GAA on the ball over 10,000 should land in Salthill

IF the GAA in Galway gets its act together, there is a glorious opportunity at Pearse Stadium on Sunday to pull off a public relations bonanza for the county’s hurlers and footballers. This attractive big-game double-header in Salthill has the potential to attract a crowd of over 10,000, but only if the local powers that be market the games with the necessary professionalism and gusto.

Unfortunately, that is hardly a given as the GAA authorities in this county have been taken supporters for granted in recent years and that not alone has been reflected in diminishing crowds on the terraces for Galway hurling and football games, but also in relation to attendances at local county championship matches.

All the while, the Connacht rugby team have been winning the battle for the hearts and minds of the Galway sporting public, especially in the city, but Sunday’s attractive double bill presents the ideal chance for the GAA to start fighting their corner in terms of winning back lost support. There should be advertisments on local newspapers and radio, posters placed all over the county, incentives for schoolchildren to attend, and quality on-field entertainment – and I don’t mean some ballad singer or Céili music – during the half-time breaks in both games. Will any of this happen? Don’t hold your breath.

Regardless of the crowds which turn up at Pearse Stadium on Sunday, we should know a little more about the championship potential of both the Galway hurlers and footballers. Kevin Walsh’s charges stand on the brink of promotion to Division One after their comfortable weekend win over Down, and will be desperately keen to get the job done after a couple of false dawns over recent years.

The fact that Sunday’s opponents Kildare have already secured their Division One status means that Galway will have an obvious edge in motivation – look what happened to already-promoted Wexford in their Division Four clash against Westmeath at the weekend – and it will be disappointing if they can’t take advantage. In that scenario, the counties will meet for the second time in eight days in the upcoming Division Two final at Croke Park.

Though Galway were expected to defeat Down in Newry last Sunday, it was no formality. The first-half was a tight affair with Shane Walsh picking off three points from play and Michael Farragher holding his own in a leftfield selection at centre-back. The teams retired level (0-8 each) at the break, but the visitors quickly turned the screw on the resumption.

Goals from the lively Walsh and Eamonn Brannigan (penalty) put them in the driving seat, but the subsequent dismissal of defender Declan Kyne made things a little ropey and goalkeeper Rory Lavelle had to make a quality save when the margin was back down to three points. Subsequently, Galway settled the issue when Brannigan finish off the rebound off his own penalty in a second half which saw Gary Sice make a big impact and wing back Gary O’Donnell landing his second point from play.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.