Joyce thrilled with Galway’s bottle in vital win up North

GALWAY manager Padraic Joyce cut a satisfied figure after the Tribesmen’s National League third-round triumph over Donegal, noting it was a victory for the heart, character and courage his players showed over the course of the contest.

Seven points downs early in the second period, Galway fought back to take the lead through a Sean Kelly goal on the three-quarter mark. However, they had to fend off a determined rally from the home side in the closing stages.

“It was a massive recovery, but the boys showed great character and great heart. It has been questioned in Galway in the past – about heart and character – and had we the bottle for these big matches? To come to Donegal and get two points is no easy feat, so hats off.

“I’m so proud of the lads and I’m so proud to be their manager. They showed really good courage there in the second half and they took the game to Donegal when they had to. We scored two brilliant goals and got some other great scores as well.”

After the first series of National League games, Galway now boast two wins from their three games. They enjoy the same number of league points – four – as All-Ireland champions Dublin and Mickey Harte’s Tyrone and, on points difference, lie third position on the table.

“Yeah, we are very happy (with that). We sat down at the start of the year and said if we could get four points from the first six, we’d be more than happy. The pleasing thing for us is that the players are showing real desire and real want to play for Galway and that’s a huge thing for us. We are just delighted with that.”

Indeed, Joyce’s charges have been nothing if not direct in their style of football in their three National League games and, for him, he says this is the biggest learning to be taken from the campaign to date.

“We have learned that when we do play football, we can be very, very good, but when we start messing with the ball, and given it away, we’ll get beaten. Overall, though, we’re delighted with the way we’ve played in the three games, we’re delighted with the application.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

Get the Connacht Tribune Live app

The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.