“London calling to the faraway towns,
Now that war is declared and battle coming down
London calling to the underworld
Come out of the cupboard, all you boys and girls”
The Clash, 1979
“London Calling” by The Clash is one of my favourite driving songs. No matter what or where the trip is, a few minutes of that tune improves the mood considerably for all within earshot.
And while Joe Strummer may be gone on the tube station to the next life, London will still be calling a fair few football fans and shopping fans this weekend for the Galway v London game in Ruislip.
It should be an easy victory for Galway based on previous outings to that venue.
To prove my point: In 2004 the score-line was Galway 8-14 to London’s 0-8, with Padraig Joyce scoring 2-3, and Joe Bergin and Michael Donnellan also banging in two goals apiece.
However Liam Sammon and his selectors have a number of injury concerns to assess before finalising the starting line up for Sunday.
Joe Bergin is doubtful to start after recent micro surgery on his knee, but he is hopeful of being available, while Kieran Fitzgerald resumed training this week after being out for the past couple of weeks.
Likewise Niall Coyne, Darren Mullaghy, and Damien Dunleavy are all carrying knocks and may not see action. That said, as long as Galway have the spine of the team in good fettle and can get sufficient supply into the likes of Nicky Joyce, Cormac Bane, and the omnipotent Michael Meehan, they should advance with ease to face Sligo in five weeks’ time.
Galway played Cork in a high scoring challenge in Limerick last weekend. That game ended on a scoreline of Galway 4-15, Cork 3-13. The game became rather meaningless in the second half as both sides ploughed on a pile of subs. Still it was a good run out for the panel and should see the team in fluid form to see off a gamey, but limited, London outfit.
Calling a spade a spade: Once the Galway players take the field with the right attitude and application, there will only be one result.
Throw in Ruislip is at 3.30pm and the game is being broadcast live on Galway Bay FM.
