TRIBE TO REBOUND

THE enigma that is Galway will retake centre stage today in Markievicz Park where Donegal stand between Kevin Walsh’s men and a second successive trip to an All-Ireland quarter-final. A chastening Connacht final defeat to neighbours Roscommon has the Tribesmen as 13/8 outsiders this afternoon, but that provincial final tanking on home soil in Pearse Park may just prove to be the making of Galway and they can get themselves back on track today against a Donegal side overreliant on Michael Murphy and Patrick McBrearty for scores. There’s no doubting the talent in this Galway squad — they have beaten Mayo in successive Championship seasons — but they have been suspect around midfield so far in this campaign, and particularly their kick-out strategy which fell to smithereens against Roscommon. However, with those problems surely having been addressed on the training field in the intervening weeks, they look a good bet to kick on today. It will be tough going against a Donegal team renowned for its organisation and discipline, but they needed a late intervention from McBrearty in Navan a few weeks back to avoid being dumped out by Meath in the qualifiers. Suitably chastened by a nightmarish day in Pearse Park last time and desperate to get the chance to make up for their AllIreland quarter-final no-show against Tipperary this time last year, we may see Galway take a giant leap forward today.