Galway in “good shape” for league debut against Kerry

ALTHOUGH Galway senior footballers are in “good shape” ahead of this Saturday’s National League tie against Kerry in Tralee (3pm), manager Padraic Joyce admits that it is a concern not to have had the preparation of a challenge game in the lead-in to their season opener.

Indeed, Joyce says that not being able to expose players to the rigours of a challenge game before lining out in a competitive fixture raises player welfare issues, noting that a window for challenge games should have been factored into inter-county preparations.

“That is one concern you have,” says Joyce. “You’re told you can go back and then it is cancelled and you are trying to alter training plans and then you get four weeks to prepare for National League matches where you are not allowed to play challenges matches.

“You talk about player welfare, but it’s a buzz word, really. I don’t know who is saying it up there in Croke Park or do they actually look into it at all, because how you expect lads to come back and be fully match sharp in four weeks, it’s kind of funny, really.

“Challenge games are part of getting a team prepared for league and championship and the fact that this year you only have three league games, it is definitely an area where I feel we were let down a bit.”

Other than that, however, the Galway boss notes his players have come back in “good shape”, although his squad are not without injuries at present. Cillian McDaid (knee) looks set to miss the league while Darragh Silke (ankle) is waiting on a scan to determine the extent of the damage he sustained at training last week.

Others also doubtful for this weekend are John Daly, Tom Flynn, Conor Campbell, newcomer Jack Keady and goalkeeper Ronan Ó Beoláin.

However, this Saturday could see the return of Moycullen midfielder Peter Cooke, who missed out on GAA action last year as he was based in the United States.

“He (Cooke) is probably the first man to come back from New York in great shape!” quipped Joyce. “The place had closed down over there, but he’s in good shape. He’s settling in; obviously, he’s a bit rusty with the ball, but he’s doing well. He’s a good lad.”

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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