Clean bill of health for Galway footballers

The Galway senior footballers have no fresh injury concerns ahead of their must-win All-Ireland qualifier clash with Tipperary on Saturday (7pm) in Tullamore – the prize on offer is a last eight tie with Munster champions Kerry at Croke Park.

Galway manager Alan Mulholland said his players are ‘chomping at the bit’ to get out there against the Premier County, and to put the disappointment of the seven-points Connacht final defeat to Mayo a fortnight ago behind them.

Mulholland and selectors, Declan Meehan and Paul Clancy, have been boosted by the return to full-training of two defenders, Joss Moore and Keith Kelly.

Moore, after recovering from a knee injury, pulled his hamstring before the Mayo match but he was back in training on Wednesday and last Saturday when Galway held a session in O’Connor Park, Tullamore.

Kelly also trained at the weekend for the first time in four weeks, giving management some cover in the backs, which had been an area that was quite threadbare over the past couple of months.

Dual player, Daithi Burke, who came on as a sub against Mayo, now also has several weeks of football under his belt, which gives another defensive option.

Mulholland said there was “absolutely no truth whatsoever” in the rumour on social media and radio yesterday claiming Seán Armstrong had left the panel. Mulholland confirmed Armstrong would be at training on Tuesday and Thursday this week and is available for selection.

The Salthill man, who scored two second-half points off the bench against Mayo, is in contention to start while James Kavanagh, another who did well when introduced, is possibly in line for a starting berth.

Annaghdown’s Damien Comer – who showed bravery in his collision with Colm Boyle in Castlebar after receiving a ‘hospital pass’ – was dazed and winded but is okay again.

Mulholland will name the team after training Thursday night.