In just their third All-Ireland semi-final since 2001, Galway will face Donegal this Sunday in Croke Park, with throw in at 4pm.
Padraic Joyce and his management team will aim to lead their side back to another All-Ireland final, after losing the decider in 2022.
Not many would have tipped both Galway and Donegal to have reached this stage of the competition. Jim McGuinness has done a stellar rebuilding job in his first season back at the helm. Galway's injury woes has been a central narrative for the Tribesmen this year. However, a win against the reigning champions Dublin in the quarter-final has breathed renewed life into their campaign.
It now means that the two old friends from Tralee IT, Joyce and McGuinness, will face each other in the managerial seat.
The half-back influence
Just like in any other fixture, the matchups here will be key. For both teams, the half back line has been key to a lot of what has gone right this year. At number 5, Dylan McHugh has had some brilliant performances, and is rightly one of the favourites to win footballer of the year. Perennial performer Ryan McHugh has been as influential as ever for his county.
The Galway centre-back position has seen some change in recent games. Despite a rocky first 10 minutes against Dublin when put in to full back, Liam Silke has been as solid as ever in defence. From a Donegal perspective, Buncrana’s Caolan McGonagle keeps a fantastic level of control at centre back for Donegal.
At number 7, Seán Mulkerrin is finally fully fit after a horrific two years, and is back showing his county what they have missed. His heroic performance against Dublin was a standout on a day full of standouts. His opposite number Peadar Mogan is scoring points for fun following another five picked up from play in the quarter-final win over Louth, in which he won player of the match.
Both teams utilise the athleticism of their half back line to shore up defence and launch attacks to great effect. If either side can minimise the influence of the opposition half backs, that will go a long way towards the winning of this game.
Tribal leaders
Damien Comer wasn’t quite back to himself against Dublin, but he got 70 plus minutes of football under his belt, which will only bring him on for his battle with Brendan McCole at the weekend.
Galway lost both Seán Kelly and Shane Walsh to injury in their last game. Walsh looks set to be fine for Donegal but losing Seán Kelly after just 20 minutes is a huge worry. Even though Céin D’Arcy played brilliantly when introduced, Galway will not want to be without their captain for the biggest game of the year so far.
Johnny McGrath’s man-marking performances all year means that he could be asked to pick up Patrick McBrearty, in a battle that is sure to enthral every punter that makes their way to Croke Park this weekend.
Cillian McDaid will be hoping to build on the form that earned him player of the match last time out, but is sure to need a massive defensive performance no matter what player from that half back line is on him.
Galway persisted with the long kickout against Dublin and to great effect. With huge men like the evergreen Paul Conroy, Matthew Tierney, Céin D’Arcy, Damien Comer and McDaid then Galway would be mad not to use their strengths and get the ball high in the air sound the middle of the field.
In memory of John O'Mahoney
This week the GAA world mourns the loss of John O’Mahoney, the man who led Galway to their last two All-Ireland titles.
It would be fitting if two of his former players - in manager Padraic Joyce and selector John Divilly - could lead Galway to the ultimate reward.
