Our 2024 All-Ireland Senior Football Final Panel – Club View

Our 2024 All-Ireland Senior Football Final Panel, as told by their younger club mates ✨🏐🇶🇦

Sincere thanks to all the clubs for facilitating our visit, and most importantly, to all the young people who gave their time so brilliantly:
Dunmore MacHales – Oisín Kilgarriff
Caherlistrane – Oisín Murphy
CLG Bhearna – Oisín White & Cadhla Conneely
Claregalway – Isla Donohue & Rían Carroll
Corofin – Ben Considine, Jake Murphy, Joseph Morris, Abby Whelan, Josh Kelly, Belle Keating & Keelin Murphy
Oileáin Árann – Éabha Ní Dhuilleáin
St. James’ – Liam Murphy, Mark Allnutt & Dara McGrath
Maigh Cuilinn – Liam Hart, Daire Nolan & Joe Molloy
Oughterard – Matthew Lydon
Salthill Knocknacarra – Ella O’Donnell, Ella Tyrrell, Naoise Geraghty, Noah Kelly & Richard McNamara
Monivea Abbey – Daithí Ruane
Annaghdown – Ethan Toner & Kayleigh O’Shaughnessy
Kilkerrin Clonberne / Kilmacud Crokes – Shay Daly
Mountbellew/Moylough – Matthew Collevy & Cathal Glynn
Caherlistrane / Ballyboden St. Enda’s – Jack Cunningham
Killannin – Seanie Gardiner
An Spidéal – Coran Ó Neachtain
Kilconly – Aoife Ryder
Mícheál Breathnach – Ruán Ó Curraoin & Doireann Ní hÉilí
St. Brendan’s – Diarmuid Naughton
Milltown – Conor Fitzsimons

🎥 Video by: Keith Gordon, Galway GAA PR Team

https://www.instagram.com/p/C95Oa_bonvN/

Thanks to all the Club officers who helped arrange this in each club at fairly short notice.

Best of Luck to Pádraic Joyce, Team Management and our Senior Football squad!

#riseofthetribes 

#gaillimhabú

Team News: Galway v Armagh, All-Ireland SFC Final 2024

The Galway Senior Football team to face Armagh on Sunday in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final is announced

Date: Sunday July 28th 2024

Venue: Croke Park at 3.30PM

Match Commentary on Galway Bay FM and RnaG Spórt

Live score updates via WhatstheScor App on our X feed and social media channels

Watch Live on RTE

Best of Luck to Pádraic Joyce, Team Management and our Senior Football squad!

#riseofthetribes 

#gaillimhabú

 

Dylan McHugh ‘s patience is being rewarded

By Cian O’Connell

The 2017 All-Ireland U21 Football Championship was something else.

Dublin, Galway, Kerry, and Donegal won the provincial championships with star studded teams. Ultimately, Dublin triumphed on the national stage, but the four counties benefited enormously in the long run.

Significant senior inter-county careers have been forged by some of the main protagonists.

Dublin’s panel included Evan Comerford, Eoin Murchan, Seán McMahon, Cian Murphy, Brian Howard, Colm Basquel, and Con O’Callaghan.

Donegal were prompted by Stephen McMenamin, Eoghan Bán Gallagher, Daire Ó Baoill, Brendan McCole, Michael Langan, Jamie Brennan, Jason McGee, Niall O’Donnell, and Caolan McGonagle

Kerry’s cast list featured Shane Ryan, Jason Foley, Tom O’Sullivan, Brian Ó Beaglaíoch, Gavin White, Seán O’Shea, Killian Spillane, and Micheál Burns.

For Galway Seán Andy Ó Ceallaigh, Cillian McDaid, Kieran Molloy, Peter Cooke, Céin D’Arcy, Michael Daly, Seán Kelly, Antaine Ó Laoi, and Rob Finnerty participated. Dylan McHugh, though, was a central player in that Galway panel.

It was a time long before McHugh had cemented a place at senior club level with Corofin. So, that campaign illustrated McHugh’s potential in esteemed company. “It was a real eye-opener for some lads,” McHugh reflects.

“I would have only been 19 playing on that under 21 team, and then the following year the way things changed with grades, I didn’t get to play again.

Dylan McHugh remains an influential figure for Galway. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile

Dylan McHugh remains an influential figure for Galway. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile

“But I would have been 19 and playing with the likes of Michael Daly, that would have been in Galway (squad). Peter Cooke was in with Galway, Seán Andy Ó Ceallaigh.

“So, you would have learned a lot from them lads. And then you’re coming up against brilliant footballers from other counties like Con O’Callaghan, and, you know, so many of the U21s are playing senior for Kerry now.

“So, you would have learned a lot from that and, probably just given a bit of confidence to go back to playing with the club again.”

Valuable lessons were learned, but McHugh still had to remain patient and resilient. McHugh starred at U21 level in maroon, but it took home a further three years to become a regular for Corofin. “That probably gave a bit of confidence, but at the same time then probably a small bit of frustration, as years went on because I would have been looking at probably 10 of that U21 team going on and playing for Galway, and I was there not playing for my own club,” he reflects.

“But look, it was brilliant, and definitely gave a bit of confidence just to try to play for Corofin and Galway later on. I probably just had to be patient then to bide my time to try to get into the Corofin team.

“Obviously, we had a very strong half back line where I was trying to get in, and probably two of the three were playing with Galway and probably had another lad that probably could have been playing for Galway. So, yeah, definitely resilience probably over the years and just a bit of patience as well.”

One thing McHugh wanted to do was improve. That was key. “You can point fingers at different lads for what reasons they’re not playing, but I think just, probably just patience was the key thing,” McHugh says.

“Talking to lads about, you know, having to bide my time, where I needed to improve, and, yeah, just stuck at it.”

Corofin continue to manufacture footballers, capable of thriving at the highest level. McHugh highlights the emphasis that was placed on development. “I suppose I would have got good coaching growing up,” he says.

Corofin's Dylan McHugh celebrates during the 2023 Galway SFC Final at Pearse Stadium. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

Corofin’s Dylan McHugh celebrates during the 2023 Galway SFC Final at Pearse Stadium. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

“I would have learned an awful lot from, you know, senior players in Corofin like Kieran Fitzgerald and Gary Sice and these lads that would have been around with the Galway panel. So, I would have been obviously learning a few bits from them as I was growing up as a teenager in Corofin.

“And, yeah, I suppose just the influence of players and getting to see lads that, you know, that would be down in the pitch in Corofin, that would be playing for Galway at the weekend, maybe just a little bit more inspiring. The level of coaching as well was brilliant growing up.”

At the end of 2020 McHugh accepted an invitation to join the Galway senior panel. “It’s funny, like, at the time, I remember saying to lads in Corofin, they were on about would I go in with Galway and different things like this,” McHugh recalls.

“I remember thinking at 23, I was too old to ever play for Galway, which is kind of funny looking back now, but, that was just the way it was.

“It was kind of like if a player was leaving, they’d bring in a 20-year-old or a 21-year-old or something like that. So, yeah, probably a later stage than most to start coming in.”

McHugh was happy to answer Padraic Joyce’s call. “I wouldn’t say I was reluctant,” McHugh responds. “I was obviously delighted when Pádraic called me, but I just had the feeling that at 23 that my time for a call had gone.

“I just had made up that I’d be playing with Corofin for the foreseeable, but, yeah, obviously, I wasn’t reluctant at all once Pádraic rang, I was delighted to go in.”

It gives McHugh a sense of perspective. To be wearing the Corofin and Galway jerseys in high profile matches means so much, especially ahead of another All-Ireland SFC final against Armagh. “I’ve always enjoyed being in here,” McHugh states.

“It’s an unbelievable group of lads. You wouldn’t come across a nicer group around and obviously the management make it so enjoyable. It’s been a great couple of years.”

Pádraic Joyce is always eager to help Galway

By Cian O’Connell

“It’s easier as a player because you only worry about yourself,” Galway manager Pádraic Joyce says ahead of Sunday’s eagerly anticipated All-Ireland SFC Final against Armagh at Croke Park.

During a decorated playing career in maroon and white, Joyce starred in two All-Ireland wins, but now sees the game from a different perspective. “Management you have to worry about the 62 people that are involved in the whole squad, getting everyone there logistically, where you go, where you stay,” he adds.

“Every decision will come back down to me, but we are lucky that we have a great logistics man in Sean Rhatigan, who looks after a lot of it, but between the two of us we will get it right.”

Is it hard to delegate as manager of a senior inter-county team? “No, it is not, it is easy enough,” Joyce responds. “You don’t have time to do everything, you have a hand in control of what is going on but, no, it is quite easy to be honest with you.

“We try to do a lot of it, you just can’t do it, you would fall down. I have good people around me in the backroom team that I trust, and trust is a big thing with them because they know me at this stage what way I like things done so we just go and get it done.”

That approach has served Galway well. Eight wins and one draw in the 2024 Championship illustrates Galway’s resilience and resourcefulness.

Powerful players have delivered when it has truly counted for Galway. “I wouldn’t say we purposely went after them, but I think Galway football over the years would have been known for having nice nippy lads so we went after a few big fellas definitely and get them in there,” Joyce remarks.

“We lost a few as well, Paddy Kelly has a bad injury for the last year and he is another man who is 6’ 2, 6’ 3 and can play football as well.

“But the lads have developed well; John Maher has developed from what he was, he is a huge animal of a man now, Mattie Tierney has grown into a serious man as well, so look, they just happened to come around at the same time.”

Galway senior football team manager Pádraic Joyce. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Galway senior football team manager Pádraic Joyce. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Physicality down the middle eight is huge now and we have a lot of men over six foot which is great.”

Opponents Armagh have similar qualities and Joyce expects another physical test against an impressive Armagh outfit. “Armagh play that way anyway,” Joyce says.

“That is something we have looked to get into Galway is a bit more of an edge because we would probably have been seen as having a soft centre over the years, but I think the lads have proved over the last couple of years that there is a good edge to them and they can mix the game either way they want.”

Did Joyce work specifically to change that perception? “I did because even when I played in my own time, we lost games by a point coming down the stretch to teams we should not be losing to,” Joyce responds.

“I think teams had the impression ‘let’s get Galway down the stretch and they will wilt or they will fold’, but thankfully I think that perception is gone now because we have been down the stretch with some of the top teams in the country in the last year, definitely this year, and we have stuck it out.”

After Galway’s draw with Armagh last month the Tribesmen had to navigate a path through the preliminary quarter-finals. In the intervening weeks Monaghan, Dublin, and Donegal have been beaten, but how did Joyce feel following the Armagh stalemate? “I wouldn’t say concerned,” Joyce remarks.

“I’d say more after making life had for yourself, but this group of players, we seem to do that over the years, make life hard on ourselves, but it was tough looking down the barrel at the time with a preliminary quarter-final to come and then a quarter-final against Donegal, Kerry or Dublin.

“So, it was a harder task than going straight into a quarter-final but look we managed to get over it and get over it okay.”

Getting through demanding matches has showcased Galway’s resolve and increasing panel depth. “We navigated it, we had a tough game against Monaghan too,” Joyce recalls.

Pádraic Joyce celebrates following the All-Ireland SFC Semi-Final win over Donegal at Croke Park. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Pádraic Joyce celebrates following the All-Ireland SFC Semi-Final win over Donegal at Croke Park. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

“All those games stood to us, that’s why thinking back to the last day we were very battle-hardened and again Armagh proved that when they played Kerry, they were the more battle-hardened when the pressure came on, 10 or 15 minutes to go. We have had five very hard games along the way, six maybe. We’re okay.”

On Sunday a friend of Joyce, Kieran McGeeney will be standing on the line in front of the Hogan Stand too. The friendship is based on respect and a sheer love for Gaelic Football. “I would have played with him in the international rules over the years and played against him,” Joyce explains.

“I have great time for him. He’s a football man no more than myself. He gave a lot to his county as a player and he’s now giving back to his county as a manager.

“We’re both in it to win it. We have a phone conversation last Monday morning after the semi-finals just to wish each other well and we knew where we were going to go.

“We’ll have a chat when the final is over. He’s doing his best for his county, I’m doing the best for my county and we’ll take it from there.”

Joyce knows the value and relevance of acquiring silverware. “It is important without putting the pressure on ourselves,” he says.

“This is our 10th championship match this year to try and win our 10th title. Someone told me the other day that the three-in-a-row team only played 11 matches to win three-in-a-row so we have to win 10 to win one.”

Throughout his life Joyce has heard the stories about Galway’s decorated outfit in the 60s. The next thrilling chapter arrived during the John O’Mahony era when Joyce was one of the chief protagonists.

A few decades later, Joyce is still going strong, eager to bring further success to the west.

Football and friendships key for Concannon

By Cian O’Connell

Sport is always on the agenda in St Jarlath’s.

In the 90s a particularly exciting crop were being developed. Three of them will stand on the line at Croke Park on Sunday. Padraic Joyce, John Divilly, and John Concannon are still serving the game in Galway.

During those years boys were brought to Jarlath’s and Galway matches to watch and observe the skill and invention. Concannon was crafty, skillful and prolific in equal measure.

The Milltown clubman’s senior inter-county playing career didn’t go according to plan. As a selector, though, Concannon is contributing. There is solace in that.

It is a tale of friendship, fun, and football. “Myself, Padraic and John Divilly, we went to school in first year together and we’ve been best friends ever since,” Concannon says.

“We played football all our underage careers, all the way up. We’ve kept in touch even when the lads went to college. We are best friends and football was always there. We were picking teams at the back of class. Picking Galway teams, picking Jarlath’s teams, picking Galway minor teams and we were doing that all our lives.”

Now, they are doing it on the grand stage for Galway alongside Mícheál Ó Domhnaill and Cian O’Neill. “We have a brilliant relationship,” Concannon adds.

“The last five years, there has been strains. There has been tough times. If you lose, you’re always wondering, should you be here? Should you not be here? Is the friendship a distraction? Is it a hindrance? Thankfully, so far, it’s worked out.”

Galway selector John Concannon and full forward Damien Comer celebrate following the All-Ireland SFC Semi-Final at Croke Park. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Galway selector John Concannon and full forward Damien Comer celebrate following the All-Ireland SFC Semi-Final at Croke Park. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Valuable lessons have been learned throughout the stint. “The first year, it started off great,” Concannon recalls.

“It was open, flowing football. The first three or four years, it was on fire. We started off great. Then Covid hit us badly. Thinking back, not that we didn’t prepare or train as good as we could, but there were so many restrictions and it was so hard to do anything.

“We came back from that Covid period. Mayo beat us and that’s well documented in Tuam Stadium. That was a massive blow to us.

“Once the Covid era was over, then we got back on the horse. Again, Cian O’Neill came in and just brought a bit of freshness to the group and gave his experience and expertise to us. That helped significantly.”

Injuries have disturbed Galway throughout the current campaign, but during the Allianz Football League emerging and returning players were afforded opportunities.

Ultimately, Galway’s substitutes contributed handsomely in the closing chapters against Dublin and Donegal. “After 2022, the narrative out there, and it was probably correct that we didn’t have a bench to beat Kerry,” Concannon says.

“We were level with seven or eight minutes to go. The narrative was we didn’t have the bench to win it. Kerry had a few lads come off the bench, they got a point here and a point there. We did work on it from then on.

“A few lads left the panel and a few more lads came in, a few younger lads came in this year as we know. It was something that we needed to work on, and we did in fairness. So far so good, it’s working out.”

Rob Finnerty relishing Galway adventure

By Cian O’Connell

A couple of hundred yards from the house he grew up in, Rob Finnerty sits to chat about representing Galway in an All-Ireland SFC Final.

The press event takes place 10 days before an eagerly anticipated encounter with Armagh, but Finnerty is cool, calm, and collected. Football was always meant to be fun.

His father Anthony, the cherished former Mayo forward, spent hours working with school and club teams featuring his son, who flourished from an early age.

Sport dominates the discussions. “We would talk a lot about football, but it’s more things nowadays – we wouldn’t really talk about 1989 or the past too much.

“To be fair, he doesn’t really like to bring it up or talk about himself too often, we prefer to talk about games that are happening now – local club games or whatever.

“We both have a big interest in football, but a lot of it would be about what’s happening at the minute.”

The underage training mattered deeply as Finnerty enjoyed a silverware laden spell in the juvenile ranks with Salthill-Knocknacarra under his father’s care. “He’s been a massive influence,” Finnerty says.

Rob Finnerty has been in excellent form for Galway in 2024. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Rob Finnerty has been in excellent form for Galway in 2024. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

“He took my Salthill team the whole way up – John Maher was involved in that team as well, we’re the same age – and we played the whole way up together with my dad managing us.

“He had a massive impact – working on my skills with me all the time, it was great.”

Similar to Finnerty, Maher has been an influential figure for Galway in 2024. “With Salthill, the whole up we’d have won everything and that went the whole way through to minor – we won two Connacht minor titles together,” Finnerty recalls.

“John was always a massive cog in that team and he went straight into the senior team at Salthill and had an impact straight away. He’s always been a serious footballer.

“He was asked into Galway panels, but didn’t commit straight away because he was doing different things. From the day he did come in he’s had an impact.”

A man that had many positive words with Maher and Finnerty, John O’Mahony recently passed away. O’Mahony brought organisation, a sense of purpose, and a willingness to develop young talent to Salthill.

“I was one of the few lads on the Galway panel, who was lucky enough to work with ‘Johno’ and he had a massive impact on me personally – even just as a person let alone as a footballer,” Finnerty responds.

Anthony Finnerty in action for Mayo against Cork in the 1989 All-Ireland SFC Final. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile

Anthony Finnerty in action for Mayo against Cork in the 1989 All-Ireland SFC Final. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile

“He was great and he meant a lot to all of us. In Salthill, he came in and he almost changed the culture in the club.

“He had a huge impact on our team in a short period of time and he brought that belief to a dressing room. Straight away, from the day we met him, we knew we had an opportunity to go and contest the Frank Fox anyway and we almost won it.

“My dad always spoke very highly of him and he trained him as well.”

What did O’Mahony teach Finnerty? “Small nuggets that you get off coaches,” Finnerty replies.

“Small things, he played me in a deeper role at Salthill, kind of a play-making role at times and he was the first person to do that with me.

“That’s something he had seen in me, that maybe other coaches hadn’t and we spoke a lot about that and about kick-passing and things like that. He had a great effect on me.”

Now, Finnerty, a primary school teacher in Scoil Bhríde, Shantalla, is eager to assist and inspire the next generation.

Galway City Council and Galway GAA to Host Family-Friendly Event for All Ireland Football Final at Pearse Stadium

Live Screening of the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Final 2024

A Galway Fanzone will be created at Pearse Stadium, Salthill on Sunday 28 July for the All-Ireland Senior Football Final. The fanzone is being organised by Galway City Council and it will be a free, ticketed event.

Link to Event Ticketshttps://www.universe.com/events/live-screening-of-the-gaa-football-all-ireland-final-at-pearse-stadium-tickets-galway-5W93YG

Mayor of Galway City, Cllr Peter Keane said: ‘I am delighted that Galway City Council will host this family-friendly event for the All-Ireland football final – the clash between Galway and Armagh is going to be an epic battle in Croke Park, and it will be great for thousands to be able to watch it on the big screen here in Pearse Stadium. At full time I am hopeful that the Tribesmen will be returning the Sam Maguire back to the West!’

Patrons will be accommodated both on the field, and in the stand depending on their ticket.

The match will be shown on a 10metre x 6metre fully HD screen with a state-of-the-art stadium sound system installed for the event.

Paul Bellew, Chairperson of Galway GAA said: ‘We are delighted the Galway Fanzone will take place in Pearse Stadium on All Ireland Final day. A big thank to you to Galway City Council for making this family friendly event happen and we hope it will prove to be a memorable day for all.’

Patrons should note that:

  • Doors open at 1:30pm – only valid ticket holders will be admitted
  • TV coverage will be shown from 2:15pm. Throw in at 3:30 PM
  • All under 16s need to be accompanied by an adult
  • Consumption of alcohol is not permitted
  • Patrons must obey event stewards and Gardaí
  • Please respect neighbours around the stadium and do not park illegally
  • Dress for the weather – no umbrellas allowed in the Fanzone.
  • Enjoy the game!

No parking is provided in the vicinity of the stadium. Patrons are advised to walk or cycle to the event, or to use public transport. Motorists attending the event should use city centre car parks or car parks in Salthill, and continue to the stadium on foot/ public transport. A limited amount of car parking will be available to the public at (Coláiste Éinde) St.Enda’s Secondary School on Threadneedle Road, H91 X798.

People should note that in the interest of Health and Safety, the Gardaí and Stewards may restrict vehicular entry/egress at times of high pedestrian traffic in the area. The screening on Sunday will result in increased traffic in Galway City, Salthill and Pearse Stadium areas and we urge all supporters to arrive early, in order to avoid traffic congestion and potential delays entering the Stadium.

The usual match day food and drink concessions will be available on site with additional family entertainment to help build up the atmosphere.

This is a ticket only event, no tickets will be available at the ground on the day.  Please have your tickets available for scanning as you approach the stadium.

This event is brought to you by Galway City Council and Galway GAA, in partnership with our colleagues in the emergency services.

Gaillimh Abú!

Full terms and conditions of entry are below:

Terms and Conditions

  • The gates will open at 1:30 on the day. Please arrive in plenty of time and have your ticket(s) downloaded on your phone for scanning.
  • All attendees under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult to gain entry to the event. The adult must always remain with the child during the event.
  • This is a family friendly event, and no alcohol is permitted inside the event or in the areas around the stadium. Searching will take place at all entry points to the venue.
  • No bags larger than A4 (210 mm x 297 mm x 210 mm).
  • For health and safety reasons no buggies are allowed onto the pitch.
  • No fireworks, flares, smoke powder, smoke bombs or other pyrotechnics. Any person found in possession or using any of the above will be removed from the ground and referred to An Garda Siochana.
  • This is an outdoor event. Please dress appropriately for the weather. No umbrellas are allowed inside the event.
  • No flexible flagpoles that exceed 1 (one) metre in length and 1 (one) cm in diameter, banners or flags larger than 2.0 (two) x 1.5 (one and a half) metres.
  • No electronically, mechanically, or manually operated sound-emitting devices such as megaphones or speakers.
  • No animals, except for guide and/or assistance dogs.
  • Please obey the parking restrictions in the area. There is no parking anywhere at the ground. City centre car parks are open or public transport should be used.
  • No weapons of any kind or anything that could be adapted for use as a weapon or a projectile.
  • Smoking or vaping is not permitted within the stadium.
  • A maximum of 4 tickets per person will be allowed
  • Please adhere to published ticket limits. Persons who exceed the ticket limit may have any or all of their orders and tickets cancelled.

Win with the Tribes – All-Ireland SFC Final Raffle

Win With The Tribes – Official Galway GAA All-Ireland Football Final Ticket

1st Prize – 2 All-Ireland Football Final Tickets ( Lower Hogan), Overnight stay for 2 in Dublin on All-Ireland Football Final night, Signed Galway Senior Football Jersey.

2nd Prize– 2 All-Ireland Football Final Tickets (Lower Cusack), Signed Galway Senior Football Jersey.

3rd Prize – 2 All-Ireland Football Final Tickets (Lower Cusack).

€20 per ticket with the draw to be held in Donoghues Bar Abbeyknockmoy on Friday 26th July 2024 on Galway Bay FM.

All proceeds go to Galway Senior Footballers Fund

Purchase your Raffle Tickets online, click here

Please Note the Online Raffle closes at 10AM Friday morning ahead of the Draw taking place on Friday night.

Best of Luck to all!

Joyce hopeful Kelly will be available

By Cian O’Connell

Galway manager Padraic Joyce is hopeful captain Seán Kelly will be available to play some part in the All-Ireland SFC Final against Armagh at Croke Park on July 28.

The Maigh Cuilinn clubman was a substitute for the Semi-Final win over Donegal, but has subsequently trained with the Galway panel.

Speaking at a press event ahead of the Armagh encounter, Galway boss Joyce said: “Sean is training away, he trained Tuesday night.

“Look, he probably wasn’t fully ready the last day so we are hoping to get another two weeks into him and we will check him out. Hopefully, he will be available for some sort of time anyway.”

Joyce confirmed that Shane Walsh and Damien Comer will be available for selection. “The boys are fine,” Joyce added. “The boys that came off, the nature of Shane’s injury is that he could not stay any longer on the pitch and we took him off and gave him a bit of rest.

“He needs to put a bit of work in now for a bit of rehab for the next two weeks and if we get as much out of him again in two weeks time, we will be happy enough. Damien is the same.”

Ultimately, it means that Cian Hernon, who suffered a hand injury last week, is the only player unavailable for Galway. “You would be heartbroken for the craytur, he just went over on his wrist here in one of the last plays, he got shouldered on the ball and I think his hand was trapped under the ball and he did quite a bit of damage to his hand,” Joyce remarked.

“It is tough on him because he had been away all year on Erasmus from January to May. He came back in really good shape, he is a great young fellow, I would have great time for him. It is tough for him and his family that he is missing out on it.”

Joyce encouraged about Galway’s battling spirit

By Cian O’Connell

“I think we were a more battled hardened team coming down the stretch,” Galway manager Padraic Joyce reflected following Sunday’s All-Ireland SFC Semi-Final win over Donegal at Croke Park.

“If you look at the games we played – Mayo in the Connacht Final, the Sligo game obviously we were in trouble, but we found a way to win it, and then we have had Derry, Armagh, Westmeath, Dublin the last day, whereas Donegal the last two games they have coasted through probably Clare and Louth easier than they would have liked.

“It showed in the game on Saturday night even, Armagh were the more battle hardened team and they found a way to stick it out. I think that was the difference, we are probably a little bit more developed than Donegal, to be honest.”

During Galway’s 2024 adventure a victory over Dublin was registered, but Joyce acknowledged the importance of building on that success. “After the emotion of beating Dublin the last day, it would have been a damp squib had we lost today,” Joyce remarked.

“It wouldn’t have meant much to us or it wouldn’t have been really talked about. We spoke a lot about that with the lads. In fairness to the lads, we obviously enjoyed that Saturday night after Dublin and the lads got back down to work the following morning.

“They did a recovery session in Blackrock in Salthill like they always do. They got looked after then by Finian Hanley next door for breakfast so it was great. The lads were mighty. And then we focused on Donegal.”

Galway’s diligent defensive work was evident once more in the Donegal triumph. “It’s something I was probably a bit naïve when I came into the job, saying we were playing fancy football, we did for a long time, but obviously we had to shore up our defence,” Joyce says.

“And that is down to the work Cian O’Neill and John Divilly are doing with the lads, they are well structured.

“You look at the lads in there – Johnny McGrath, Jack Glynn, they are not massive giants, Seán Fitzgerald, they are young lads that came in and to a man they are outstanding lads. Seán Mulkerrin, Dylan McHugh with them, playing serious football and are keeping Kieran Molloy and John Daly off that squad as well.

“John and Kieran got a bit of gametime today which is great, they are just really good players and getting great support from the wing forwards as well. It’s pleasing, definitely, and it always gives you a great chance when you are not conceding big scores.”