Galway football hopeful aims to be top dog

A GAA dual star from Galway has his sights set on small screen glory – as he steps up to the mark for the latest ‘Underdogs’ series on TG4.

Caltra goalkeeper Mikie Lyons – who also plays hurling for Ahascragh/Fohenagh – has made the cut to star in the latest run out for a series that blends a team of club footballers, who have not played senior county before, to take on an inter-county outfit within a few months.

Mikie featured on the Galway U20 football panel last year – and he hopes that his appearance on the show could help lead to a breakthrough into the senior panel.

But GAA is only part of his busy life, because Mikie also helps out on the family farm in Ballinasloe while also working as a security guard.

“I don’t really stop,” said the 21-year-old shot-stopper.

“I wouldn’t really have a spare minute between doing security, the farming the football, the hurling and contracting with Enda Kelly in Taughmaconnell.”

In tonight’s episode, Mikie will train under former Donegal All-Star Kevin Cassidy and ten-time All-Ireland winner Valerie Mulcahy – but despite the high profile of the coaching staff, he was unfazed by the task at hand.

“It’s a good opportunity; the training is intense and we’re travelling around the country. It will be good to see how it all pans out,” he said.

Corofin legend Gary Sice will also feature on tonight’s episode, standing in for Mickey Ned O’Sullivan – and the former Galway star was impressed by Mikie’s performance on the show.

“He was very impressive in every department, physically and mentally, his leadership was outstanding, he excelled all round,” he said.

Mikie makes no secret of his ambition to put on the Galway jersey at senior level one day.

“I was drafted into the Galway Junior Panel a week before the All Ireland semi-final. It gives you a taste of playing for your county, the pride in the county jersey. Only a few people in the county can wear one so it’s a huge honour,” he said.

And he views the departure of Kevin Walsh as Galway senior football as a golden opportunity to advance his senior cause – although the goalkeeper is pragmatic on that.

“It shouldn’t really matter who’s in charge really if I’m good enough I’ll be selected. I think a new face in charge of Galway football was long overdue,” he said.

While Lyons may have one eye on a place on the senior squad, his sights will be immediately set on Caltra’s North Board Junior B final against Headford this weekend which he is expected to start in.

Underdogs airs on TG4 on Thursday nights at 9.30pm.