The year, 1981, remains the last time Galway lifted a Division One National Football League title, a statistic that still jars when you consider the calibre of footballers who have worn the maroon and white in the interim.
Given the absentee list this spring, many Galway supporters would perhaps have settled for retaining top-tier status at the outset. Blooding a handful of inexperienced players, uncovering one or two who might make a championship impact, and easing key figures back to full sharpness as the year unfolds.
Following the Round 2 victory over Armagh, however, Galway suddenly find themselves with two valuable points on the board and, more importantly, a window of opportunity opening ahead of Saturday evening’s trip to Austin Stack Park to face All-Ireland champions Kerry (throw-in 5pm ).
Victory over Jack O’Connor’s side, particularly with Mayo, Armagh and then Kerry in the rear-view mirror, would place Galway firmly in the conversation for a league final berth. And while Kerry remain widely regarded as the best team in the country, their 2026 league form has been patchy, with preparation further complicated by the extended and successful club runs of Dingle and An Ghaeltacht.
The Kingdom tested
Kerry’s narrow escape against newly promoted Roscommon underlined just how unforgiving Division One can be if standards dip, even slightly. That Roscommon performance came despite the Rossies missing key personnel of their own and travelling to a venue that has rarely been kind to them.
When Kerry surged 0–8 to 0–2 clear inside 18 minutes, the expectation was that things looked ominous. Instead, Roscommon settled, briefly edged in front, and were still very much in the contest despite Tomás Kennedy’s goal and a late Tony Brosnan point handing Kerry a three-point half-time lead.
Even when Kerry stretched seven clear in the second half, there was little sense of control. They ultimately needed 18-year-old Kennedy to raise a last gasp white flag on the hooter to finally shake off Mark Dowd’s side.
That same theme carried into Kerry’s trip to Ballyshannon last weekend to face Donegal in a repeat of last year’s All-Ireland final. Any assumption that Kerry would, again, have too much for Donegal took another dent when David Clifford – who clocked up 1-8 versus Roscommon - failed to make the matchday squad due to flu.
On that basis, it would be a surprise if the two-time Footballer of the Year is not back in contention this weekend, a development that would obviously strengthen Kerry’s attack. Likewise, if his brother Paudie is also selected.
In the Cliffords' absence, Seán O’Shea assumed the role of Kerry’s attacking fulcrum and was outstanding against Donegal. His personal haul of 11 points (including four two-point frees, a mark, a free and a score from play ) kept Kerry competitive throughout, and he will demand close attention in Tralee.
Tralee is Tribesmen's acid test
Galway’s own league campaign has been somewhat disjointed, with injuries undoubtedly hampering momentum. From an optimistic viewpoint, the manner that they battled back against Mayo — when the game threatened to drift away — was encouraging, even if Padraic Joyce’s side had dug themselves into an 11-point hole by the third quarter.
Armagh, meanwhile, were arguably the standout side of Round 1, racking up 1–27 against Monaghan. Galway rode their luck at times in the Athletic Grounds, and Kieran McGeeney’s men will feel they failed to be ruthless enough, but the only statistic that truly mattered was that Galway left with a priceless victory from one of the league’s most difficult venues.
With Galway badly depleted to this point, it was a significant boost to see Cillian McDaid, Matthew Tierney and Shane Walsh all introduced from the bench to such effect. The impact of Tuam Stars youngster Shay McGlinchey was equally eye-catching, and he must now be firmly in contention for a start, particularly in a sector where Galway have been without John Maher, Cein D’Arcy and Paul Conroy.
Ahead of the weekend, Galway will certainly need to sharpen up on kickouts if they are to take another two points on the road. The second half against Armagh was bordering on a disaster and there were times Connor Gleeson and his defence were lucky not to cough up cheap goals as a result.
One major positive has been the form of Rob Finnerty, who kicked the match-winning score versus the Orchard County in a man-of-the-match performance and has led an inexperienced attack manfully. This will be another step-up for the likes of Fionn McDonagh, Ciaran Mulhern and Oisin Mac Donnacha if they are selected again. It wouldn’t be surprising given their performances up to now.
A victory here could be the rocket fuel to lift Galway’s league campaign and inject real belief into what follows. Kerry will always be Kerry, but circumstances matter and this feels like one of those rare moments when the door is slightly ajar.
Do Galway have the tools to push it open?
