Mulholland’s delight at side’s reply to test of character

Down 0-8

Alan Mulholland doesn’t mind admitting that last week was a long and a tough one for him and for all involved in the senior set-up – Galway had just tasted their third league defeat of the current campaign and the criticisms kept rolling in.

However there were also messages of support and somehow in the wake of the Laois massacre . . . Galway circled the wagons, they wore their hearts on their sleeves, and carved out a result that could help them to stay in Division 2.

“It really was all or nothing today. This was a game we just had to win and I’m delighted at the manner in which the lads rallied after the Laois match.

“We were all pretty down after that and today was a real test of character. I thought we were very competitive all over the pitch but especially in defence – we just didn’t give the Down forwards any extra seconds on the ball,” said Mulholland.

He is acutely aware though that Galway are still in a perilous position near the bottom of Division 2, and won’t look any further ahead than the Louth match on Sunday next in Drogheda (2.30pm).

“Of course today was a boost for all of us. It lifted our spirits and restored confidence levels but it won’t count for anything unless we go to Drogheda on Sunday and do the business.

“This win has opened up a little door for us but we have to drive on from here and put four points on the league table. Louth desperately need the points too, so it won’t be easy up there,” said Mulholland.

He also paid tribute to the Galway supporters who really got behind the side on Sunday and gave them a great ovation as they left the pitch.

“It’s been a tough start to the season for our lads but the reception they got here from the crowd afterwards, as well as the support during the match, does mean a lot to them. Our fans were just great today,” said Mulholland.

He said that ‘pure heart’ played a big part in the success, especially in the second half when Down piled on the pressure to try and secure the levelling scores.

“We had a good first half and a decent start to the second half but Down were always going to have a good spell and we just had to ride that out and absorb the pressure.

“I was also delighted with many of our scores – the lads stayed composed on the ball and took their chances when they came. A good few things just came together for us on the day,” said Mulholland.

It was a day when the smiles returned to the faces of the Galway supporters and now many will be planning the trip to Drogheda on Sunday.

A win against Louth would set up Galway for two titanic encounters against Armagh on March 30 (either Pearse Stadium or Tuam) and away to Monaghan on March 6 in Clones.