Colm Boyle column: Galway are on a mission and have one crucial advantage over Armagh in All-Ireland final
This is as difficult a final to call as I can remember. We have seen from recent games how evenly matched the teams are but final experience is a key factor
Galway and Armagh have formed an unlikely rivalry over the past couple of years. Their quarter-final two years ago was the genesis of it. I was lucky enough to be there that day; it was a special atmosphere.
Armagh supporters bring a unique colour and noise to big occasions which would remind you of Dutch fans at a major tournament, and not just because of the splash of orange. Galway haven’t been found wanting in this department either and the scenes as ‘N17’ rang out around Croke Park after they beat Dublin would be at the centre of any Championship highlights reel. But who will be celebrating come 5pm tomorrow?
For Galway, I think there are a number of factors that will give them real confidence going into this. Firstly, they have the experience of being here before two years ago and were within five minutes of winning the All-Ireland against Kerry. They have seen and lived through the build up to the final itself and the aftermath. They know what it looks and feels like. Does that count for anything? I think it does.
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Secondly, they are a much more cohesive unit than they were two years ago. They are not as reliant on Shane Walsh and Damien Comer for scores. They don’t need another Walsh masterclass in this final to get them over the line. They just need those boys chipping in because the team dynamics are better.
Finally, we all talked about their lack of a bench back then, but they are much stronger in that department now.
The appointment of Sean Hurson as referee is an interesting one. He made a huge call in the final two years ago that helped swing the game Kerry’s way. But referees are human and it would be very difficult for Hurson not to side with Galway on a marginal call going down the stretch this time.
We all saw from the hurling last Sunday how crucial these calls can be to the outcome.
Armagh, on the other hand, are back in the final for the first time since 2003. Their captain back then was Kieran McGeeney, who is now in his 10th year as manager. In that time the only silverware they have won is the Division Three title back in 2018. What an incredible story it would be if he can now add the Sam Maguire.
There is a lot to like about this Armagh team. They are a resilient bunch. They have had setbacks and criticism from all sides but they now find themselves within 70 minutes of the Holy Grail.
When they are in full flight they are a joy to watch. They seem to be really at their best when faced with adversity. An example of such was the quarter-final two years ago when they were seven points down in the closing stages and somehow managed to bring it to extra time.
They did something similar when they were six down in the group game against Galway this year.
They are a team that never knows when they are beaten. A big criticism in the past was their ability to close out and be brave enough to win big games. They showed in the semi-final against Kerry that that is now a string to their bow.
TACTICAL BATTLE
The battle around the middle third could have a huge effect on the outcome of this game.
Armagh’s approach on Galway’s kickouts will be very interesting. Will they be spooked by what they saw in the first half Galway’s semi-final win?
Donegal were annihilated on Conor Gleeson’s long kick out and Galway looked like scoring every time they won it long.
Armagh have reaped huge rewards from pushing up on kickouts. Conor Turbitt intercepted a short kickout in the group stage game against Galway, which led to Tieran Kelly’s goal that changed the game. Turbitt also intercepted a Shane Ryan kickout which led to Barry McCambridge’s goal in the semi-final.
Galway typically push for the majority of the opposition kickouts and trust their big men. If Armagh do likewise it could be an old school battle in the middle sector.
Galway’s defensive structure has been the foundation of their success this season. That Tiernan Kelly goal is the only one they have conceded in their nine Championship games.
Dylan McHugh and Sean Mulkerrin have been instrumental in dropping back and protecting their full-back line. Armagh must find a way of disrupting this and occupy McHugh and Mulkerrin, which may free the likes of Conor Turbitt, Rory Grugan and Rian O’Neill to create more one-on-one situations.
I will be interested to see if Armagh test Connor Gleeson with a couple of high balls early on. Gleeson had a nightmare in the latter stages of the quarter-final two years ago when two high balls found their way to the net after a goalmouth scramble.
When both teams met in a League game the following March, Armagh rained high balls down on Gleeson, with one booming Ethan Rafferty delivery resulting in a goal.
Galway’s game plan of holding Walsh, Comer and Finnerty up top for the majority of games has been refreshing and rewarding. They nearly always have a kickpassing option on a counterattack whether they choose to use it or not.
Armagh may try and put Comer and Walsh on the back foot more than they have the last two games to really test out any potential lack of fitness in Galway’s key men.
BATTLE OF THE BENCHES
In what could be a game of inches, it may come down to who can get the most impact from their substitutions.
Armagh’s impact from their bench in the semi-final was off the charts. Stefan Campbell, Jarly Og Burns and Ross McQullian scored four points between them but their contribution was much greater than that.
It’s a big ask to expect the same impact from that trio in particular but clearly not impossible. Oisin O’Neill is another big player off the bench and Aidan Nugent will be looking to right the wrongs of his semi-final cameo.
Tomo Culhane and Johnny Heaney were both instrumental off the bench against Dublin.
If Sean Kelly doesn’t start he would be a huge addition coming on in the closing stages. John Daly and Kieran Molloy are two brilliant defensive players to have to bring in.
There is very little to choose between both.
MATCH-UPS
Shane Walsh (Galway) v Barry McCambridge (Armagh)
McCambridge has been excellent in his last two games in particular, scoring two goals while marking Diarmuid Murtagh and David Clifford. He may use attack as the best form of defence tomorrow.
Aaron McKay (Armagh) v Damien Comer (Galway)
This will be a fascinating battle between two big, physical players. Comer will be looking to banish the demons of Jason Foley from the 2022 final. He’s not at his best but still liable to contribute.
Conor Turbitt (Armagh) v Jack Glynn (Galway)
Johnny McGrath picked up Turbitt in the group stage game and it was a bad match-up. Turbitt had too much size and power for McGrath so I expect Glynn to be given the task of nullifying Armagh’s top scorer from play.
Dylan McHugh (Galway) v Oisin Conaty (Armagh)
I mentioned earlier that McHugh needs to be occupied defensively but also man-marked when Galway are in possession. He has scored 0-3 in the last two games. Conaty had the job of marking Ryan McHugh in the Ulster final and is likely to be tasked with picking up his namesake here.
Liam Silke (Galway) v Rian O Neill (Armagh)
Silke has had his troubles defensively in the last few games but is hugely effective going forward. If he can limit O Neill’s influence it could set Galway on their way.
Niall Grimley (Armagh) v Paul Conroy (Galway)
Conroy has kicked 2-13 from play in this Championship. I will be surprised if Armagh don’t detail Grimley to track him whenever he goes and not let him out of his sight. He has the potential to put Conroy on the back foot.
VERDICT
This is as difficult a final to call as I can remember. We have seen from recent games how evenly matched the teams are.
I believe that Galway being here two years ago gives them a slight edge. It does feel like this is their time. They have beaten Mayo, Derry, Dublin and Donegal to get here, which is a hugely impressive run.
I said after the semi-final that they looked like a team on a mission. I believe they will complete that mission tomorrow, but not without one hell of a battle.
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