Search Results for 'Liam Sammon'

It’s often said that a week is a long time in politics. Can I suggest then that three weeks is an absolute eternity in football? Just a few short weeks ago, all the talk around these parts was that Galway would be a shoe in to retain their Connacht championship. The fact that they would be playing the Connacht final (assuming it is Mayo) in Pearse Stadium added to that theory because the general perception is that the seaside venue is definitely worth a few scores to the Galway men. But the pendulum has very definitely shifted in the last two matches of the national league. Galway were the form team of the league for the first five rounds, getting standing ovations from their ecstatic home supporters on a number of occasions such was the quality of their play. But after a rather slow start by Mayo in their opening rounds, they have very definitely come thundering into the equation again as serious provincial contenders after their impressive one-point victory over the up to then unbeaten Galwegians in Tuam a couple of weeks ago. Mayo followed up on that victory with a very creditable performance against the All Ireland champions in McHale Park last Sunday, where both sides took a share of the spoils.

Jeepers Jack. What a few weeks the Galway footballers have had.

Thankfully I know I am not alone in this one; just ask any second level teacher who teaches lads.

“London calling to the faraway towns,

It will take the loyal Galway supporters from the last 20 years a few moments to re-adjust their hard drive at Markievicz Park in Sligo this Sunday when they see one of the finest footballers of his generation, Kevin Walsh, marshalling the opposition in championship football.

Thankfully I know I am not alone in this one; just ask any second level teacher who teaches lads.

The news that Nicky Joyce has been dropped from the Galway senior football panel is a blow to his county’s chances of retaining the Connacht championship.

I was delighted to hear on Saturday evening that Ronan McGarrity had participated in the A v B game in McHale Park, it was good news for all concerned and his inclusion in the Mayo team announced on Wednesday night gives the county and the player himself a great boost going into this weekend’s Connacht final. Normally before matches of this nature, I’m fairly confident in predicting in advance who will win, but this time I’m finding it difficult. Mayo’s performances in the championship to date have been hugely impressive albeit against weak opposition. And on the other hand Galway have been deteriorating since half time in the league game in Tuam, when Mayo came back in the second half in impressive style to win the game. Since half time in that game, every time Galway have togged out they have had question marks hanging over them. In Sligo they were very lucky and had to use six different combinations at midfield to see off the Yeats county men who, if they had a bit more conviction when goal chances were presented, could have sent Liam Sammon’s side into the qualifiers at that stage.

This Sunday’s Connacht semi-final between Galway and Sligo at Markievicz Park has a classic “hot favourites v massive outsiders” feel to it, and is in truth a potential banana skin for Galway.