Galway still need to strike right balance

FALSE dawns are the two words ringing like incantations across the Corrib. Galway football people see their team at the top of Division 1 and if they feel pride and happiness, they also shudder.

They’ve seen promise go the way of last year’s snow too often in the past.

Even with three wins from their first three matches following their return to the Division 1, caution is advised.

No matter how important the League has become, it is the secondary business for serious counties — and Galway, despite two decades of drift, remain one of those.

And the Championship has seen Galway flounder in various ways since winning their last All-Ireland 20 years ago this year. As recently as last summer, they upset Mayo with a tigerish victory in the Connacht Championship, but then succumbed to Kerry in the quarter-finals.

Given the questions that have been asked of their stomach for a battle that doesn’t involve their fierce local rivalry with Mayo, it is no surprise to see Kevin Walsh’s team play a game based on hard work and aggression so far this spring.

Galway need to become more obdurate — but they have to get the balance right. Flooding their own defence is fine on soft pitches in February, but it doesn’t cut in the Championship, not against the best sides as the ground hardens.