Little margin for error as footballers host Wexford in a critical league tie

Date Published: 21-Mar-2013

IN the context of the championship season ahead there is a bigger picture to look at, but for now, Galway footballers will be concentrating solely on getting a result from their Division 2 National Football League clash against Wexford at Pearse Stadium on Sunday (12.45).

Promotion is a mathematical possibility but realistically Galway will have an eye on avoiding the trapdoor to Division 3, as they are one of four mid-table teams locked on five points.

With Armagh (away on April 7) left after next Sunday, a home win in Pearse Stadium is an absolute essential for Alan Mulholland’s charges, but there has to be anxieties in the camp after the heavy defeat they suffered last weekend at the hands of Laois.

Galway struggled badly in a lot of key positions at Portlaoise and despite Wexford going down to Westmeath in Wexford Park last Monday, the visitors will have survival on their minds too on Sunday.

Wexford apparently did not get the ‘rub of the green’ last Sunday against Westmeath. They were going ‘great guns’ early in the second half, leading by 0-13 to 1-6, when midfielder Daithi Waters controversially got sent off.

The decision, by all accounts, changed the course of the match with Westmeath dominating possession from there on, before eventually winning by a 4-12 to 0-16 scoreline.

Wexford centre forward Ben Brosnan proved to be a real thorn in the Westmeath defence, kicking seven points from play and frees, so he will be a man to watch for the Galway defence on Sunday.

Galway report a clean bill of health for the Wexford match, but management may be considering at least some changes in the wake of the Laois defeat.

Selector Donal Ó Fatharta said that while Galway were very disappointed at the defeat in Portlaoise, it was a matter of re-grouping for what was a critical league tie against Wexford.

“After last weekend’s defeat, our priority must be to maintain our Division 2 league status and home wins in the league are vital.

“Laois were very strong on Saturday evening but Wexford too have put in some strong performances in the league – there are no easy games in this division.

“All our long term focus is on the May 19 championship clash with Mayo, and we are looking at a lot of players, but for the moment it really is a case of picking up two points on home soil against Wexford,” said Donal Ó Fatharta.