Bergin returns for clash with Derry

Date Published: 27-Mar-2008

THERE’S always one ‘make or break’ match in the middle of any league campaign and Galway footballers certainly face such a moment of destiny on Sunday in Pearse Stadium (2.30) when they take on table toppers Derry.

The Derry lead at the top of the table is somewhat tenuous — with scoring difference just edging them ahead of Galway and Donegal — but if this Sunday in Salthill provides a decisive result, then the winners will feel bang on course for a crack at the league title.

The losers will almost invariably slip back into the pack of the each way bets so it’s little wonder that both bosses — Liam Sammon and Paddy Crozier — will be steaming into this battle on full throttle.

Derry delivered one of the most decisive results of the league so far on the weekend before last when they hammered Kildare on a 1-16 to 0- 8 scoreline — in a league renowned for its tight matches, that margin of victory had to be taken careful note of.

Ulster is shaping up for a wickedly competitive championship series and Derry want to avail of all league preparation along the way — over recent years they have found Galway to be compliant enough in terms of supplying league points.

Their All-Star full forward Paddy Bradley was in brisk mood for business against Kildare, kicking nine points and proving to be the diamond edge of a display which brought a lot of tributes in print for the quality of football on display.

Galway pride was dented on the same weekend in Ballybofey’s, MacCumhaill Park when Donegal inflicted the first defeat of the league so far on Sammon’s team. It was a match which Galway should have got something from with normally reliable strikers Padraic Joyce and Michael Meehan missing late chances to secure the draw which their overall effort probably deserved.

Now Galway get …………….