Galway ladies football manager Daniel Moynihan aware of threats Armagh pose
“IT’S funny the way it is that we haven’t crossed paths in championship football over the last 20 years, with whatever way the draws have gone,” said Galway manager Daniel Moynihan about Armagh.
This is only the second time they’ve met in the top tier of ladies football, a repeat of their 2006 All-Ireland senior semi-final which the Orchard County won.
“It adds something extra to the game in that it’s only happened once before,” continued Moynihan. “It’s two teams freshly looking at each other in a high intensity game of football which can only bring good things for the neutral.
“Probably a lot of people look at Galway and say we’ve probably underachieved. We’ve won one All-Ireland in the last 25 years considering the stock of players that have gone through the books.
“Armagh as well similarly have produced outstanding footballers over the years and never got over the line. So, it’s a case that something has to give here on Saturday that one team is going to be marching on to an All-Ireland Final.
“Another will be the ones that have nearly got there which is going to be a huge frustration for both teams. It just shows that there’s a lot on the line for both sets of players this Saturday.”
Both teams will look at each other in the same way. Both believe they are good enough to be crowned All-Ireland champions, but both are also fully aware their opponents can say the same.
“We’re very much aware of the huge threats that they have,” stated Moynihan. “League football and championship football are very, very different. We can’t look back at this recent league game and say, well we have their number. That’s not the case.
“If our concentration level drops for five minutes or so, that’s where they can strike and cause teams real big problems. And then it’s a case of chasing down a lead against Armagh which is always going to be difficult.”
“We have a lot of experience in this squad,” concluded the Galway manager about his own group.
“We need to ensure that no matter what happens on the pitch, good or back, that we focus on our game and we don’t get overawed by the occasions, overawed by a potential banana skin of a couple of scores conceded in quick succession.”