Galway in crisis after latest league flop

LAOIS 2-10

GALWAY 0-10

AN early Spring that produced so many shoots of promising growth for Galway footballers has been seriously stunted by an unexpected frosty spell that carries with it the chilling feel of relegation with just two matches to go in Division 2 of the National League.

Galway did concede two goals that could be taken straight from the tales of the unexpected library but it must be also be faced up that the troubles encountered by Kevin Walsh’s side ran a lot deeper than that at Tuam Stadium.

Leaving the old stomping ground of Stockwell and Purcell last Sunday afternoon, not a Galway fan could recall a match in the Tuam heartland where the men in maroon had gone through an entire half of football without raising a single flag. It was that shockingly bad.

In the great mystery of sport, all is not lost for Galway but over the course of the last two matches, the team has completely lost their way and they really do need a return to the basics, especially in the context of attacking directness.

It’s been a long time since we witnessed so many groans of exasperation from the home fans in the crowd of about 2,000 as Galway either played the ball relentlessly across the field or backwards through the course of the second half, often losing possession, and presenting not even a smite of a threat to the Laois defence.

Galway played hardly any direct ball into the full forward line – for most of the second half they didn’t have an inside attacking line – a return to the days of getting quick deliveries into the scoring area of the pitch, with a target man to aim at, is an acute need.

An injection of Corofin players into defence, possibly midfield, and in attack, should introduce some element of freshness for the now absolutely crucial clash against Roscommon at Hyde Park on Sunday, but Galway need to rediscover their confidence, directness and sense of abandon, that in fairness was present for their first three league matches against Meath, Westmeath and Down.

Confidence though is a mercurial commodity – just look at the changing fortunes of top golfers like Tiger Woods, Padraig Harrington or Rory McIlroy – and as Galway players and management slowly made their way off the grass at Tuam Stadium, their faces were drained of life. Defeats do take an awful toll.

Galway had produced a competent first half display as they played into the town goal backed by the stiff wind, kicking ten points with Peadar Ó Griofa (four, three from frees), Shane Walsh (three, one free), Gary O’Donnell, Adrian Varley and Paul Conroy (free), all finding the target.

Full report in this week’s Connacht Tribune