PREVIEW: Galway facing tough battle in Salthill against Westmeath
GALWAY and Westmeath will battle it out for a place in the All-Ireland quarter-final on Sunday (2pm) at a sold-out Pearse Stadium.
GAA+ will be showing live coverage of the round two fixture, with Kerry native Brendan Griffin taking charge of the big game.
The winners will secure their place into the last eight and it also ensures a two break. Meanwhile, the losers will be back in action next weekend on June 20/21 in round three of the All-Ireland SFC.
Galway forward Cein D’Arcy spoke about the advantages of going the direct route after his side’s win over Kildare.
“The indirect route hasn’t served us too well over the last while, you are battered and bruised after those three weeks in-a-row. It would be lovely to go and get the bit of rest, hopefully do us a bit of favour,” explained D’Arcy
“I think it will be massively important, you are going to war out there no matter who you are playing. The teams are at such a high level, you see the way games go now, everyone is competitive, anyone can beat anyone if you can avoid that three weeks on the trot. That would be brilliant.”
After Galway’s Connacht final loss to Roscommon, they would likely have accepted a pathway back to Croke Park that required overcoming Kildare and then Westmeath to secure a place in the All-Ireland quarter-finals.
Padraic Joyce’s side seem to be timing their run nicely and Matthew Thompson remains the only injury concern ahead of this weekend. Damien Comer’s and Shane Walsh’s returns to full fitness have been welcome additions for Joyce’s side. After making two appearances off the bench in the last two games, Comer could be in contention for a starting place.
Goalkeeper Conor Flaherty missed the Kildare game due to injury, but it now seems Connor Gleeson is in a strong position to keep the number one jersey.
Competition is growing in defence with Jack Glynn, Cian Hernon, Liam Silke, Dylan McHugh, John Daly and Sean Kelly making up Galway’s rearguard in their comfortable win over Kildare. 2024 All-Star Johnny McGrath missed out on a starting place in that game.
Westmeath will provide a stern test this weekend for Galway having gathered huge momentum after winning the Leinster Championship. The Lake County needed extra time to get past Cavan in round one of the All-Ireland SFC.
Brandon Kelly, Senan Baker and Shane Corcoran form an energetic full-forward line, and Galway’s defenders will need to remain disciplined throughout.
Sam McCartan, who is the grandson of former Galway football great Sean Purcell, has also had an impressive campaign in the Westmeath attack.
After missing out on promotion from Division Three this year, Mark McHugh’s side bounced back defeating Longford, Meath, Kildare and Dublin on their run to winning the Leinster SFC. The former Donegal footballer previously worked with the Moycullen senior team under Cathal Clancy in a coaching capacity in 2025.
McHugh’s energy on the sideline has been reflected on the pitch, while the half-back line of Ronan Wallace, Shane Allen and Matthew Whittaker has provided a strong platform for launching attacks from deep. Galway forwards Cein D’Arcy and Cillian McDaid will be eager to test that defensive unit.
The midfield battle could prove decisive. Paul Conroy and John Maher are expected to go head-to-head with Westmeath’s Ray Connellan and Brian Cooney in what promises to be a crucial area of the field.
Although Westmeath travel to Pearse Stadium full of belief, Galway’s greater experience may prove significant. Joyce’s side have consistently challenged for All-Ireland honours in recent years.
Joyce hasn't hidden Galway's ambition to win the All-Ireland and this is the type of home fixture they will expect to win.
The counties met during the group stages of the All-Ireland SFC in both 2023 and 2024, with Galway emerging victorious on each occasion.
However, Westmeath have fond memories of Pearse Stadium, having knocked Galway out of the championship there in 2006 with a 1-8 to 0-10 victory.