Galway travel to struggling Monaghan this Sunday afternoon aiming to ignite winning consistency into their league campaign.
It's been a campaign of ups and downs for Pádraig Joyce's men thus far, but Sunday's fixture offers a golden opportunity to lay down a marker. Monaghan are the only winless side in the division, sitting rock bottom with five defeats from five games.
The Tribesmen battled for a draw away to leaders Donegal last time out to hand Jim McGuinness' side their first dropped points of the campaign. Although impressive on paper, Galway will be disappointed not to leave Father Tierney Park with a win, having led by six points five minutes into the second half and playing against 14 men from the 44th minute.
But there are positives. A response was needed after a disappointing home defeat to Roscommon and Tribesmen showed character away to what was a daunting Donegal team. They showed no signs of a hangover in the opening half as Galway led by three going into the break with Robert Finnerty and Oisin Mac Donnacha shooting impressively.
Donegal showed why they have been so impressive in the second. Facing the adversity of being down a man, they rose to the occasion and put Galway on the backfoot. Still, they needed a last gasp Peadar Morgan two-pointer to share the spoils.
Moreover, Donegal owe a lot to 'keeper Gavin Mulreany who denied Galway a number of goalscoring opportunities. This tie could have easily gone Galway's way.
Which is why Pádraic Joyce and his team should be spirited going into this weekend's encounter. There have been some encouraging highs but equally there have been lows in this league campaign to date. But Sunday is a fantastic chance for Galway to show they mean business.
Throw-in at Grattan Park is 3.45pm this Sunday, March 15.
