Westmeath manager Mark McHugh blown away by Galway's physicality

WESTMEATH senior football manager Mark McHugh was full of praise for Galway after his side suffered a three point defeat in Pearse Stadium . “Listen, you have to tip your hat to Galway. They were brilliant to a man. It's well known they're getting men back in the field and they're such a strength,” McHugh said in the aftermath of his side’s defeat to Galway.

“They're such an aerial threat and they're dangerous everywhere. You push, you press them high, and they'll get you over the top. And if you don't press them, they'll get the ball away. So they're moving well and they're rightfully in the quarter-final and best of luck to them.”

Although Westmeath appeared to be chasing the game for the majority of the contest, the Donegal native felt the Leinster champions still could have got something out of the game coming down the stretch.

“I think we could have pulled it out of the fire. I’m not sure would we have deserved it. Over the course of the game, I thought Galway were probably the better team … they cut us open a few times and could have had more goals, I suppose, and it’s something we need to look at.”

Trailing 2-9 to 1-8 before the break, an effort from Sam McCartan dropped short and it proved costly. Galway transitioned quickly, Paul Conroy found Shane Walsh who played a spectacular pass inside to Matthew Tierney who punched the ball into the back of the net and the hosts were now seven points in front at half time.

“We got back in the game in the first half, against the breeze; and we gave away the goal just before half-time which was a sucker punch. And we were in control of that play, and we either should have put it dead or even held onto the ball. Because the breeze was that strong,” added McHugh.

“So, that kind of sucked a wee bit of life out of us. And then when you give Galway who are so used to playing out there, the ability to hold onto the ball in the second half … and they’re so good at it, they’ll cut holes into you, and we were going to struggle.”

However, the Westmeath manager was proud of the way his side battled back, despite suffering setbacks in the second half losing Ray Connellan and Matthew Whittaker to injury.

McHugh's side now meet Monaghan this weekend in round three of the All-Ireland SFC, the winners will progress into the quarter-finals.