Galway’s destiny in own hands as they host Fermanagh at Tuam Stadium

GALWAY footballers have mixed in a bit of everything so far in the league but as they shape up to Sunday’s Tuam Stadium clash with Fermanagh (3pm), the carrot of a guaranteed promotion slot to Division One still remaining firmly in their own hands, dangles tantalisingly in front of them.

Two wins, two draws and one loss so far in Division 2, leaves Galway on six points with Cavan and if both counties ‘do the business’ on Sunday it will set up a championship style clash at Breffni Park on the first Sunday in April between the home side and Kevin Walsh’s charges.

Everything of course hinges on Galway not losing focus against Pete McGrath’s Fermanagh in Tuam but with a full squad to call on for the first time this year, Kevin Walsh and his selectors will be looking for a big performance.

Fermanagh on four points will have their own ambitions too coming into this match. A win over Galway on Sunday if followed by a home success the following weekend against bitter rivals Tyrone, would put them on eight points and in with a promotion chance.

So far, Fermanagh have recorded victories over Meath and Laois, while they were also unlucky to suffer a one point defeat at the hands of Armagh – they certainly won’t be travelling to the North Galway venue on Sunday without hope.

There is though a bigger catch to be landed by Galway over the course of the next two weekends, if they can put together a pair of good results. Two victories over Fermanagh and Cavan will guarantee them promotion to Division 1 and also a league final slot against Tyrone on Sunday, April 24, in Croke Park.

Galway trained on Wednesday night after their training camp in Portugal last week with the starting fifteen due to be confirmed on Friday night following their second session of the week.

By all accounts, the training camp in Vilamoura went exceptionally well with a pretty packed programme completed and a full turnout from all panel members.

Manager Kevin Walsh was very happy with how the week’s schedule went and most observers of the game in the county would feel that the camp effort should be a boost on a number of fronts but especially in terms of morale, bonding and analysis.

The perfect conclusion to all of that would be a home win against Fermanagh and, for a change, the management will be facing into a very welcome selection dilemma on Friday evening with a full squad to pick from.

Galway did show buckets of late spirit when scraping the last gasp draw against Armagh on Sunday week last at the Athletic Grounds, but there were serious concerns over the side’s third quarter collapse when the home side ran riot.

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