After a superb win away to Armagh last Saturday evening, Galway now know a win or draw this weekend against the reigning league champions Kerry will pit them against old rivals Mayo in the league final.
The rematch of the 2022 All-Ireland final throws in on Sunday at 1.45pm in Pearse Stadium and, going into the final round of league games, the table shows just Galway and table-toppers Mayo are guaranteed safety.
Donegal are all but relegated, and any of Monaghan, Armagh, Tyrone, Roscommon, and Kerry could also face the drop, depending on results. A win for Kerry or Roscommon on Sunday could also see them in the league final.
After travelling to the Athletic Grounds and coming away with the two points, thanks to Matthew Tierney’s late goal, Padraic Joyce will be happy to have the home comforts of Pearse Stadium for his side's deciding game in the 2023 league.
With a break of four weeks until championship begins, a result is a must to help the Tribesmen stay sharp for a Connacht semi-final against either Mayo or Roscommon.
Galway’s increasingly mean defence will face their toughest test this weekend when they come up against the array of talents that is the Kerry forward line. At the top of that list is David Clifford who caused an incredible amount of damage to the Galway full back line on his way to scoring 0-8 in the All-Ireland final last summer.
With Kerry's defence set up so well, forcing teams to shoot under immense pressure from difficult angles, Galway's Seán Kelly and teammates must up the ante yet again if they are to quieten Clifford. John Daly’s late injury in Armagh is hopefully just an impact one, which will allow him to lead the defence again this weekend.
Despite being caught out under the high ball for Ethan Rafferty’s opportunistic goal on Saturday evening, Galway goalkeeper Connor Gleeson redeemed himself with some accurate kickouts and a brilliant save from Jarly Og Burns deep into injury time to preserve Galway’s lead with the last play of the game.
Cian Hernon impressed in defence on his first start for his county, and the introduction of Tomo Culhane for his first league appearance in a year, helped no end in this victory when converting two marks at crucial stages of the second half.
Galway may not have lit the world alight with their performances so far this season, but they have been ultra-competitive and consistent throughout the league, while also introducing developing players into the squad. Gradually improving game by game, Galway were away winners over Armagh without Eoghan Kelly, Neil Mulcahy, Jack Glynn, Cillian McDaid, Ian Burke, Damien Comer and Peter Cooke.
The full squad will be needed for the 2023 championship with the provincial championships to be followed by a group stage, and in turn followed by the All-Ireland series. For Galway this starts the weekend of April 22/23 and will finish at the latest on July 30.
It is an incredible number of games for any team to have to come through. Galway, however, will not be looking past Pearse Stadium this Sunday afternoon and the All-Ireland champions.
