Former Galway star Gearoid McInerney misses buzz of big days​

At the start of 2025, it was announced that McInerney, Adrian Tuohey and Joseph Cooney would not be part of Micheál Donoghue's panel. With the All-Ireland final week underway, McInerney admitted it's at times like this that he misses representing Galway.

"It's brilliant, you kind of know what the lads are going through to some extent. You'd be missing it in many ways when you see there is a bit of excitement building," McInerney told Tribune Sport.

"I'd even love an extra week if I was there myself, two weeks seems like it goes very quick. It would be nice to get a really good internal game, get the flags up and get a bit of excitement around it. Two weeks seems a bit rushed, especially if you have a few niggles or anything.

"Everyone would always like to be involved, there would be an element of that. You're winning big games and you can see the crowd coming back around the All-Ireland semi-final and All-Ireland final. And even a small bit in Leinster, even though they could do with getting the crowds up for that. You'd miss the buzz of it, there's nothing that competes with that buzz of it."

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The 2017 All Star has fond memories of representing Galway at inter-county level and feels inter county hurling can bring the best out of players.

"Looking back on it now, it's something that you have good and bad memories from. Memories all the same, something like that can bring out the best in you."

In 2018, the Oranmore-Maree defender picked up a calf injury in the latter stages of the championship. He suffered the injury in Galway's drawn All-Ireland semi-final against Clare, forcing him to miss the replay. However, he recovered in time for the final, where Galway were narrowly beaten by Limerick, 3-16 to 2-18.

"I haven't thought about it too much to be honest, you try to put those things to the back of your mind. The day didn't really go to plan, obviously it pops into my mind a bit more, now that the two teams are meeting again in the final."

McInerney said he tried everything possible to recover in time to line out for Galway in the showdown with the Shannonsiders.

"It's tough, I kept myself well distracted. I was doing everything and anything I could do to try and get back on the field. Full focus was on recovery, the time went very quick because I needed every day just to try and get back on the field and get back running. Them few weeks went quickly for me, I was doing something every day in terms of trying to get that calf right,” he said.

McInerney spoke about trying a range of recovery methods, including using an oxygen chamber, going into the sea, shock therapy and dry needling, in a bid to be fit for the 2018 All-Ireland final.

"It gives you a chance of playing on the big day, you're going to do what you can in terms of recovery and stuff. There's no magic potion unfortunately, you kind of just have to keep yourself tipping away and trying to get back running as quick as you can."

He can relate to what his clubmate Rory Burke is going through this week, with McInerney believing Burke has played a major role in Galway's run to the All-Ireland final.

Burke suffered a hamstring injury in Galway's Leinster final victory over Dublin. The Oranmore-Maree clubman will be hoping to make his return against Limerick this weekend.

"You'd have to feel for Rory (Burke) in these few weeks, he's probably going to put his head down and try and sort that injury out. Rory is still very young and he has to mind his body as much as he can.

"Whether he plays a part the next day or not, he's already played a big part in the season for Galway, getting them there and there is a lot to come Rory, whether he plays or not the next day, he should feel very much a part of that success,” he explained.

McInerney believes Galway's growing connection with supporters has been a key factor in their run to the All-Ireland final, saying the atmosphere generated by a packed crowd against Cork helped drive the team's performance.

“It’s small margins, we’ve been close a few times and haven’t really got over the line. The team seems to be really clicking, the crowd really got behind the team in the All-Ireland semi-final. That had a big impact in the energy levels, you probably see it in Munster hurling.

“The reason the matches are so good in Munster is because they are selling out the stadiums. Players just feed off the atmosphere and you could see Galway feeding off the crowd the last day and the performances that were going in, across the field (against Cork) were something else.”

The 2017 All-Ireland winner has the experience of being managed by Micheál Donoghue, Francis Forde and Noel Larkin and he also played with Aidan Harte and Cyril Donnellan during his inter-county career who are now both part of the backroom team.

“They all have inputs in their own way. I think Cyril and Aidan they were all intelligent hurlers as well when they played. I'm sure they have an impact on how the game is being played and how they have developed the game plan.”

“Micheál listens to them and takes their advice on board, everyone has an impact. They probably debate things out and see what’s best for the team, they’re all pulling in the right direction,” concluded McInerney.