Galway need to stay grounded after thrashing Tyrone in Tuam

Inside Track with John McIntyre

IT might seem a strange observation to make, but Padraic Joyce is about to face the biggest challenge of his fledgling inter-county senior managerial career in the wake of Galway’s National League thumping of Tyrone at Tuam Stadium last Sunday.

Whether those in the camp like it or not, Galway footballers are the talk of the place and players’ heads can be turned quickly when they are catapulted into the national spotlight. It’s the result of that extraordinary 19-point win over Tyrone which leaves the Tribesmen on target to reach the league final.

Galway had already been attracting positive reviews since Joyce took over, but they took their form to a whole new level by destroying arguably the most cynical team out there. Tyrone manager Mickey Harte has never suffered a heavier defeat in his 18-years at the helm.

That 2-25 to 0-12 scoreline does come with something of a health warning as Tyrone finished with only 13 players on the field and also lost their star performer Cathal McShane with a serious leg injury in the first-half. Yet, it was hard not be impressed by the way Galway ruthlessly cut loose in the closing quarter.

Liberated and producing a brand of attractive attacking football which is proving a big hit with supporters, Galway have caught fire this Spring, but now the team has to deal with increased expectations and all the media attentions that comes with it. And having to head to Navan on Sunday has the potential for a Meath ambush.

On the surface, Galway should have no problems dealing with the Royals who remain pointless from four outings, but Andy McEntee’s charges tested Kerry in Killarney last weekend and will gather some belief from that performance. Meath would also love nothing better than bringing their high-flying visitors back to earth.

Joyce’s challenge this week will be to ground his players ahead of their trip to Pairc Tailteann. One thing that should help that process is that many of his team have graduated from the school of hard knocks – such as losing two Connacht finals to Roscommon at Pearse Stadium – meaning that they should not be easily distracted by all the hype about them.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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