Galway senior footballers will look to book their passage into the All-Ireland quarter-finals when they face Leinster champions Westmeath at Pearse Stadium this Sunday.
Due to the new All-Ireland series format, Galway’s victory over Kildare last time out ensures their clash with the Lake County takes place in Round 2A. The victor will progress directly to the last eight, while the loser will have one more opportunity to book a quarter-final berth.
Pádraig Joyce’s side enter the weekend as favourites and the importance of a victory cannot be understated. The extra period of preparation and recuperation would be crucial to the Tribesmen’s Sam Maguire ambitions. For players just returning to full fitness, such as Shane Walsh and Damien Comer, that weekend off could prove invaluable.
But Mark McHugh’s side present a tricky task for the Tribesmen. Five wins on the bounce coupled with a second Leinster title – their first since 2004 – means Westmeath arrive to Pearse Stadium as one of the form teams in the championship. Their last three victories coming in extra time shows the mentality and resilience of their opposition.
Galway should have enough. They looked back to their blistering best against Kildare in Round 1. Rob Finnerty stole the headlines in their 13-point rout as he notched up 1-09 from play. Shane Walsh’s six points is encouraging while Matthew Tierney continues to impress at full-forward. If Galway’s big hitters continue that scoring form, it may prove too much for a young Westmeath defence.
With Sunday’s game already a sell-out, it promises to be an engaging contest with a great atmosphere in Salthill.
Throw-in is 2pm at Pearse Stadium this Sunday.
