Our man south of the border, Ray Silke caught up with two of the men who could shape the outcome of Sunday's game in Salthill this week, Cillian O'Connor and Gary O'Donnell
Cillian O'Connor
DOB : 13/05/1992 Height: 6 feet
Weight: 85Kgs
Club: Ballintubber
Siblings: Three brothers: Padraig, Rory, and Diarmuid.
Main honours: Four Connacht senior championship medals, (2011-2014 ). Three county senior titles with Ballintubber. Young player of the year in 2011 and 2012.All-star in 2014.
Occupation: Qualified primary teacher. Full time student last academic year in Jordanstown - studying for a Masters in psychology.
Car: VW Golf. 1600 cc - Diesel.
Ideal car: VW Golf. 2000 cc - Diesel. (TDi )
Dream date: Megan Fox
Favourite food: Steak dinner.
Social media: Yes/No: Mainly twitter.
Best victory: First county championship win with Ballintubber. It was the 100 year anniversary of the club in the same year and we really enjoyed that success. And my first Connacht title in 2011 with Mayo.
Worst defeat: Last year's replay against Kerry in the all-Ireland semi-final. The most recent defeat is usually the worst.
Positives to playing inter-county GAA: Getting to play in front of big crowds at top venues.
Negatives to playing inter-county GAA: Some people dwelling on negatives after the game is over.
Childhood heroes growing up: Declan O'Sullivan (Kerry ), Peter Canavan (Tyrone ), and James Horan (Mayo ).
Who would you buy if there was a transfer market in the GAA: Colm Cooper (Kerry ).
Ambitions for 2015: To have an injury free year, win a Connacht championship, and challenge for an All-Ireland win.
Gary O' Donnell
DOB : 6/1/1988 Height: 6' 2"
Weight: 87kgs
Club: Tuam Stars
Siblings: Tony, John and my sister Claire.
Main honours: Connacht senior medal in 2008.
Occupation: Secondary teacher at Presentation College Athenry - Business and PE
Car: 2008 VW Passat (Looking to change it - said with a smile )
Ideal car: VW Passat CC or an Audi A4, if Adrian Quinn in Labane wants to help out (again said with a broad smile ).
Dream date: Fionnuala Fordham (girlfriend ) would be my best choice. Kate Beckinsale would also have been a contender in the past.
Favourite food: A home cooked chicken stir- fry.
Social media: Yes/ No: Twitter, but more of a follower than a poster.
Favourite venue: Anfield.
Best victory: The first time I played with Galway was as a minor in 2005. We beat Mayo in the Connacht final in Salthill. That is a good memory.
Worst defeat: Losing to Antrim by a point in the qualifiers in 2012.
Positives to playing inter-county GAA: Comraderie with team- mates and the craic at training and in the dressing-room. Striving to be your best and living a healthy lifestyle.
Negatives to playing inter-county GAA: Not seeing some of your close friends as much as you would otherwise like too, and the disappointment of losing games.
Childhood heroes growing up: Growing up in the 1990s, players from the Galway teams like Ja Fallon. The Irish soccer team had some great players in that decade, and as a Liverpool supporter I always liked John Aldridge.
Who would you buy if there was a transfer market in the GAA: Bernard Brogan (Dublin ).
Ambitions for 2015: To win a provincial title and stay injury free.
