Joyce praises application of Galway team in defining win

GALWAY boss Padraic Joyce cut a far more satisfied figure than he has been over a difficult 18 months. He had every right to be happy after his side produced a workmanlike and authoritative display in seeing off Roscommon in Sunday’s Connacht SFC semi-final.

This game ticked a lot of boxes for Joyce. Most importantly, it delivered a much-needed victory after a run that saw them only win one of their previous seven competitive fixtures. Secondly, Joyce handed four players – Connor Gleeson, Dylan McHugh, Matthew Tierney and Finnian O Laoi – their first championship starts while Cathal Sweeney and Padraig Costello also made their championship debuts from the bench.

Tierney, in particular, made an outstanding contribution of 1-3, 0-3 from dead balls, and his reputation, along with that of another former U20 star Paul Kelly, continues to grow and grow with every game.

“He (Tierney) is a great player and always showed great potential at underage. Just delighted for him today,” said Joyce. “He worked really hard; he does a lot of tracking off the ball as well. Overall, it was a fabulous performance and he fully deserves his man of the match.

“I always said when I came into Galway that if you’re good enough, you’re old enough. And in fairness to those two guys in particular (Tierney and Kelly), along with the likes of Dylan McHugh and Sean Mulkerrin, they are all great young lads. Paul is sneaking in goals; I think he has three goals in the last four games now.

“So, they are great lads, they train really hard and are well up for the battle, and they are coming with a bit of pedigree with them from U20s. They set the standards high at training and they are bringing great energy to the older fellas and I’d be delighted with them.”

One area that Galway has reaped great reward out of in recent times is placed kicking, with Tierney sharing the duties with captain Shane Walsh. Between them, they have the capability to nail any dead ball within range.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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