By Alan Dooley

THERE were virtually no signs of any scar tissue from last June’s All-Ireland final defeat as Galway entered the 2023 race to lift the Sam Maguire cup. Indeed, Padraic Joyce’s side showed admirable character and resolve to withstand a third quarter surge from an otherwise surprisingly subdued Roscommon side to qualify for their eighth consecutive Connacht senior football final appearance.

The manager understands the merit of a provincial winner’s medal and the confidence it breeds, and his side will now be unbackable favourites to capture back-to-back titles. Their performance on Sunday was far from flawless, but it had enough elements that would give hope for another prolonged campaign, especially now they are seeded within the new structure.

Roscommon had built a reputation during the league as being a second half team, but for them to allow Galway to routinely build up a four point lead on their home turf by the interval bordered on criminal. The after-effects of the emotional rollercoaster that was their win over Mayo in Castlebar seemed to sap the players of the energy levels required to compete with a finely tuned Galway side, who were patient and methodical in their attacking play.

Davy Burke’s team had enough possession to create plenty of shooting chances, with Galway unable to win back any of Conor Carroll’s restarts, but the atmosphere in a packed Dr. Hyde Park remained stifled throughout the first period, much like Roscommon’s attack. Five shots at the posts that resulted in three points from frees is a damning statistic for any team to ponder, but time and again Roscommon either coughed up unforced errors or were bottled up by Galway’s well-drilled defensive unit.

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

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