Galway and Roscommon prepare for another meeting - this one of more significance for Padraic Joyce's players as they seek to claim the Allianz Football League division two crown.
Having suffered their first defeat of the season in all competitions at the hands of Roscommon last weekend in the final league round, Sunday's decider in Croke Park (1.45pm ) will be a different proposition with a title at stake.
This is the third time this year the two teams have met - the second final they will have played against each other following Galway’s FBD victory in mid-January - while there is also the potential for another clash in the Connacht Championship. But in Dr Hyde Park last Sunday afternoon, Roscommon's need was greater, and in securing the win by 1-20 to 1-15, they booked their place in division one for 2023.
However, Roscommon will know Galway will be back to full strength when they clash in in Croke Park this weekend, and as a result Roscommon manager Anthony Cunningham will have his players well braced for the test that awaits. It promises to be a tasty encounter.
It was a different story last weekend in a game was of little significance for Galway with Padraic Joyce's charges having already secured promotion with a game to spare, thanks to victory in Derry the previous weekend.
Joyce gave opportunities to a number of players on Sunday afternoon with Seán Fitzgerald, Tony Gill, Niall Daly, Dylan Canney and Eoin Finnerty all making their first full league debuts.
Finnian O’Laoi and Cathal Sweeney were also restored to the starting 15 as many of the regular campaigners such as Liam Silke, Dylan McHugh, John Daly, Cillian McDaid, Shane Walsh, Robert Finnerty and Damien Comer were rested from the start, while Paul Conroy was also serving a one-game suspension after receiving his marching orders in Derry.
However, only one player grabbed the opportunity to stake a claim for a regular place and that was midfielder Niall Daly who gave an exhibition in kicking, both for scores and passing. The Kilconly man scored five points from play, none of which was straightforward, especially given the tricky breeze at play, which is an exceptional return from midfield. Dessie Conneely also continued his impressive form as he consistently showed for ball, and created and converted scores despite the match going against the Tribesmen.
Galway were under severe pressure for much of the first half as a yellow swarm of Roscommon jerseys did not relent. This showed in the half-time score as Roscommon led comfortably by 1-14 to 0-06.
The Galway cause was not helped in the first half when they played 10 minutes with 14 men after wing back Cathal Sweeney received a black card after about 20 minutes, and during this period Roscommon made their man advantage count on the scoreboard.
In the second half Galway reappeared with Liam Silke, Dylan McHugh and Owen Gallagher entering the fray. McHugh and Silke shored up the defence, limiting the Rossies to just six points, which mainly came from placed balls converted by Conor Cox, while Gallagher added some much needed impetus going forward.
The Galway second-half performance was much improved, but the score line still flattered them in the end. Johnny Heaney’s wonderful goal in the 62nd minute added some gloss to the result.
Cian McKeon, who ended the day with 1-02 to his name, was the pick of the Roscommon players on the day as his energetic running troubled the Galway back line throughout.
