Nothing in sport is definite - and that unpredictability is one of the main reasons we are enthralled by it. However, it is reasonable to assert that the Galway footballers must improve significantly on what they have produced in the championship to date if they are going to beat Armagh on Saturday at Pearse Stadium (5pm ).
Their form in their two narrow victories over Tipperary and Waterford was patchy to say the least. And everyone from the kit-man to Alan Mulholland will know that unless they really open up their shoulders, play with abandon, with no fear, and find some consistent form for 70 minutes, they will be out of the championship by the start of Saturday evening Mass at Salthill church.
Armagh are no world beaters as their defeat to Cavan (1-15 to 1-11 ) in the Ulster championship proved. However, that defeat was two months ago on May 19, and they learned a good bit from it.
Their team manager Paul Grimley was badly slammed and castigated on the Sunday Game following that defeat by Joe Brolly, but Grimley has used that criticism to his advantage. His team has circled the wagons since that loss, built up a bit of a siege mentality, and has now posted two enormous wins over Wicklow and Leitrim.
Admittedly, both those teams were poor for different reasons, but Armagh still scored t10 goals in those two games. And, with men like Jamie Clarke, Eugene McWeeney, Kevin Dyas and Tony Kernan showing good form up front, the Galway defence will have to be at its best.
Galway team manager Alan Mulholland is under no illusions about the task his team faces on Saturday, but he is hoping his side will go out and give it a real go in front of home supporters.
"We were not overly impressive against Tipp or Waterford,” he says. “ However in each of those games we won tight matches and that builds confidence. Armagh are a good side and they like to drive forward, but if we can do well in the middle third and keep things tight at the back, we believe we can ask some serious questions of them."
The Galway team is not due to be announced until tomorrow evening and there are two injury concerns over Corofin's Michael Farragher and John O'Brien (Clifden ). Both players are suffering from calf injuries and will be assessed on Friday prior to the team being selected.
Galway do have a few advantages - that it is at home is a major plus and few would give Galway much chance if they were heading up to Armagh.
Another advantage is that Armagh are hot favourites to win and advance to play Cork. They are 1/2 in the bookies, with Galway at 2/1.
The vast majority of the national pundits have already gone for an Armagh win and some of that kind of talk can seep into players’ thoughts - although Paul Grimley is downplaying that kind of chatter.
Speaking to the media this week, he played up the Galway's chances of springing a surprise.
"Galway have quality players in their side like Paul Conroy, Michael Meehan, Seanie Armstrong and Finian Hanley and they will be very keen to impress at home. This match is coming at a good time for them, but the important thing for us is to focus on our own strategy.
"While we are delighted to have got those wins over Wicklow and Leitrim, we know that the bar will be raised significantly from here on in. There is no hiding place for anyone now that we are at the business end of the championship," he said.
It is vital Galway keep things tight at the back and do not allow Armagh any soft goals. Jamie Clarke must be nullified and it will be interesting to see who is assigned to mark the Crossmaglen star.
Armagh supporters are expected to travel in big numbers and it is important Galway GAA supporters come out in numbers to support the team.
It is easy to be critical, but all Galway players are going out to do their best and represent the county to the best of their ability. They deserve our support and it would be very disappointing if there were more Armagh supporters in the stand than Galway on Saturday.
So dust down your maroon and white flags, and scarves, and get along to Pearse Stadium on Saturday to give the team our support.
