Galway footballers must improve for tough away league test against Fermanagh

IT is very early season, and yet by the time Valentine’s Day arrives on Tuesday next, Galway’s chances of promotion from Division 2 of the National League will be a lot more clearly marked out, following their clash with Fermanagh on Sunday (2pm) in Brewster Park, Enniskillen.

Even after the first round of league matches, the four main contenders for promotion have been picked out by most analysts as Galway, Fermanagh, Cork and Kildare.

Galway’s point against Cork on Sunday – fortunate and all as they were in the end to get it – could yet be a crucial one but they will face another severe test at Brewster Park against a county, small in terms of player numbers, but quite strong as regards quality.

Fermanagh’s 1-16 to 0-10 first round success over Down in Newry sent out a clear message of intent from Peter McGrath’s charges – they are extremely well organised; tight in defence and their forwards tend to earn a lot of frees within the scoring zone.

However, the final scoreline may have flattered Fermanagh somewhat as they only led by a point at half-time after Down had spurned a couple of clear-cut goal chances.

Eoin McManus’s last quarter goal put the final nail in the Down coffin, but one way or another, it’s a victory that will give them a real confidence boost for the clash with Galway.

Last March, on the home soil of Tuam Stadium, Galway played out a 0-15 apiece draw against the same opposition, although it was a match that Kevin Walsh’s side should have won.

The build-up to the National League has been frustrating enough in ways for the Galway management. Without the Corofin contingent, their third level colleges players and with a few more out through injury, the Galway resources have been well stretched.

The situation will only be marginally better on Sunday. Key midfielder Fiontán Ó Curraoin is still doubtful with the hamstring injury that kept him out of last Sunday’s joust with Cork.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.