Conroy’s introduction turns tide for Tribesmen in Navan

Meath 1-12

GALWAY took a major step towards securing a place in the National Football League Division 1 final when coming from eight points down to defeat Meath in another action-packed NFL tie at Páirc Tailteann on Sunday.

Inspired by substitute Paul Conroy, who kicked four points when introduced, the victory puts the Tribesmen top of the table with two games remaining against old rivals Mayo and All-Ireland champions Dublin. A positive result — even a draw — in either of those fixtures will see Padraic Joyce’s charges through to the league decider.

That said, there were times in Navan, particularly in the first half, when Galway’s league ambitions teetered on the brink. After a half hour of incohesive football, they were in dire straits as they trailed 1-6 to 0-1 to Andy McEntee’s buoyant outfit.

Granted, Meath, who have been relegated to Division 2 on foot of this result, did have a considerable gale at their backs in the opening period but the Tribesmen were so lethargic in their play it was difficult to envisage them mounting any sort of fightback. For one, their distribution was so poor that any time the visitors attacked they invariably handed possession back to Meath.

Added to this, the home side were really up for this contest and one image that stood out in the opening period was midfielder Ronan Steede gathering possession in the bottom right-hand corner and being hunted down and engulfed by a sea of Royal green.

Underlining Galway’s woes was their lack of scores. Michael Daly kicked their opening point in the 10th minute but it would be another 22 minutes before they registered another point through a Shane Walsh free.

In contrast, Meath kicked 1-6 in the opening half hour, with the impressive Bryan McMahon setting up Ethan Devine for a 16th minute goal after Galway had coughed up cheap possession with a wayward handpass. Indeed, any Galway error, Meath were on it and, notably, many of their scores in this time came from a Galway mistake.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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