Galway can target champs with a nothing to lose focus
By DARREN KELLY
THERE will be no love lost on St. Valentine’s Day between the Kerry and Galway senior footballers (Austin Stack Park Tralee, 5pm) when the National League returns following a one week break.
For the Tribesmen, their Round 2 victory up in Armagh (3-12 to 0-20) atoned for the opening day home defeat to Mayo. Robert Finnerty’s late free gave Padraic Joyce’s charges the spoils after goals from the Salthill ace, Kieran Molloy and Matthew Tierney kept them in the hunt at the Athletic grounds.
As a result, Galway sit fifth place on two points, level on points with the Kingdom but ahead by the minimum on scoring difference. Jack O’Connor’s team suffered a reversal to Donegal two weeks ago (1-22 to 1-18) after just getting over Roscommon in their opener.
The pressure won’t be on Galway as much for Saturday’s fixture but ending an eight year wait for a league victory in Tralee would be a massive boost. Back in 2018, Barry McHugh kicked eight points while Eamonn Brannigan added 1-3 in a 1-14 to 0-14 victory.
Galway did win in Pearse Stadium in 2023 (1-13 to 0-14) thanks to five Shane Walsh points and a Paul Conroy goal. Football followers in the county still hold their breath in anticipation of whether the 2024 Player of the Year will return this season.
Joyce has already confirmed Peter Cooke is gone but still started eight of the team that began last year’s All-Ireland quarter-final against Meath the last day. Tierney and Walsh came off the bench; and Cian Hernon was involved against Mayo.
New captain John Maher isn’t back from injury yet with Cein D’Arcy and Damien Comer still to return. Cillian McDaid has also made an appearance while impact players like Shay McGlinchey, Shane McGrath and Brian Cogger should make at least one start over the next three games.
It’s an important period for Galway regarding their Division 1 ambitions as they play three weeks in succession. They host Roscommon on Saturday week in a must win fixture before making their own trip up to Donegal. Anything in the away fixtures is a bonus.
The defence has a familiar look with Connor Gleeson in goal; Seán Fitzgerald, Johnny McGrath and Jack Glynn as full backs; while vice-captain Dylan McHugh and Liam Silke have been joined by former skipper Sean Kelly. Keeping a clean sheet against Armagh was a major improvement.
Molloy has floated between the half back line and midfield where Maitias Eoin Bairéad joined him in Round 2. Finnian Ó Laoi is another versatile option while Finnerty (1-11) leads the scoring stakes ahead of debut players Fionn McDonagh (1-5), Ciarán Mulhern and Oisin McDonagh (0-3 each).
Kerry are All-Ireland champions and while they’re also the reigning league title holders, no panic buttons will be pressed in the south west. They’ve opened without their Gaeltacht and Dingle contingent following their own respective marches to national glory.
Pictured: Galway's Cillian McDaid is bottled up by Kerry's Brian Ó Beaglaoich and Paul Geaney during last year's National League clash at Pearse Stadium.