CONNACHT SFC:Galway V Mayo , Venue:Pearse Stadium , Throw-in:4pm, tomorrow, On TV:Live on TV3
DERBY DAY in Galway and as ever, there is little to choose between the perennial favourites. For all the talk of the abandoning the provincial system, both Galway and Mayo still deeply value the Connacht title. But privately, they have an eye on the biggest prize and both are outside bets for landing the All-Ireland.
As teams, they have considerable strengths and suspected weaknesses. Galway hardly set the world alight against Sligo. But maybe that is no harm: Galway may have hit stride a little early last year and the flair and scoring potential of their forward unit has never been the issue.
The bread and butter requirement of gaining parity if not outright control of the midfield sector is crucial in terms of Galway realising their ambitions of taking their show to Croke Park.
Liam Sammon has tried every combination possible and Paul Conroy, an excellent young footballer, has been cast in a big role here. Moving Declan Meehan from his traditional role of putting out fires in the Galway defence is a bit of delightful mischief on Sammon’s part: he starts up front alongside “the brother”. Nickey Joyce will hope to mark his return to favour with a big show in a potent half-forward line.
Mayo look in good shape. John O’Mahony has been patient in identifying and developing players for the critical roles – Ger Cafferkey at number three, Trevor Howley, Trevor Mortimer and Aidan O’Shea completing a strong and balanced spine. O’Shea looked like chaos-in-the-making during the league: his battle against Finian Hanley will be the biggest test of his senior career to date.
It remains to be seen if Ronan McGarrity can play at this level so soon after breaking his jaw.
The most important requirement for Mayo is that they show some poise; that they do not rush and clock up the wides and fall into old habits because, regardless of the outcome here, they have the look of a team that is beginning to motor at precisely the right team.
Galway have not yet had that same persuasiveness but the sight of those green and red jerseys might be sufficient to jolt them into the realisation that the high point of the season has arrived.
MAYO:K O'Malley; L O'Malley, G Cafferkey; K Higgins, P Gardiner, T Howley, A Moran; D Heaney, R McGarrity; P Harte, T Mortimer, A Dillon; A Kilcoyne, B Moran, A O'Shea.
GALWAY:A Faherty; N Coyne, F Hanley, D Burke; G Bradshaw, D Blake, G Sice; P Conroy, N Coleman; J Bergin, P Joyce, N Joyce; S Armstrong, M Meehan, D Meehan.
Referee:J Bannon (Longford).
In the last episode:These meetings may be auspicious but they are hardly rare.
Galway have collected 44 provincial titles, Mayo are behind with 41; most of these were won in matches against each other. After Sligo’s coup in 2007, the older order was restored last year with a gripping final in Castlebar. As predicted, it was desperately tight and Galway edged clear in an entertaining match that ended 2-12 to 1-14.
On your marks:Establishing a settled midfield has proven troublesome for Galway; Paul Conroy and Niall Coleman are fine ball players but there are concerns that they can claim their share of possession here. Oddly, Mayo are also somewhat iffy in this department, with Ronan McGarrity returning after a serious facial injury and veteran David Heaney once more playing a pivotal role for his county. With Tom Parsons on the bench, Mayo ought to hold the advantage at midfield; it will take a commanding display from Bergin to disrupt that.
Gaining ground:Pearse Stadium is fabulous on a still sunny day, nightmarish when wind and rain sweep in from Galway Bay. In a way, it is too good and open a stadium to be of any huge advantage to the maroon men but Galway have a good record here and Mayo folks are no strangers to the saloons and other delights of Salthill.
You bet:Galway, as home team are called at 11 to 10. A draw is available at 15 to 2 while Mayo are quoted at evens.
Just the ticket:A stand ticket costs €35, a terrace tickets is €25 while a juvenile ticket is €5.
Crystal gazing:Both teams are convinced they are going to win this. The sea air might be enough to swing it for Galway.
