CONNACHT SFC

waiting in round one of the All-ireland groups should make for another big Ulster thriller — the Championship so far would be little without Ulster thrillers!

But, with Clare and Cork also in the group, it should see both Ulster teams through if all goes to form.

Habit

Monaghan will also feel they will have an opportunity for a Championship run facing Louth and Meath for that second Group Four spot behind Kerry.

Monaghan might just have another kick in them yet and they have a habit of getting things right at the right time of the year having looked fairly weak and depleted with injuries up to this point.

Mayo being Mayo is now a theme of each year but, remarkably, they have managed to keep their heads down for the most part of this year to date and I do think that Mcstay has been trying to manage the usual hype with pulling up the handbrake after getting the League points needed to stay up.

He’s a very clever and strategic man and I wouldn’t put this past him and I give him credit for this. I like the mix of Aidan O’shea, Tommy Conroy and Ryan O’donoghue as an attacking triangle.

Mayo being Mayo, I do feel that they could reach an Allireland semi, or even a nal, if they can keep the heads down and get a consistent structure.

Sometimes, in the past, they have changed too much for my liking which feeds into the chaos they are infamous for — as well as their madly-energetic supporters!

The hardy perennial of whether O’shea should play on the edge of the square arrived again with his goal against Roscommon, with Mcstay admitting afterwards that they know he is best there.

The size and look of O’shea has never helped his cause, and he has come in for some unwarranted criticism through the years. But, if he is close to goal and direct ball is played his way, he would be a dream foil for Conroy and O’donoghue to play off and always has an eye for goal too.

When we were in our heyday, we always saw Galway as a nice ‘footballing’ side — and nice isn’t a compliment! When it came to the crunch in a few key battles we had with them we always found a way to win.

Passed

After around 15 years in that mode, they have made an effort to come together as a team stronger and make themselves difficult to break down but it almost feels like that, with Shane Walsh and Damian Comer now in their 30s and seemingly struggling with injuries, their chances of Sam Maguire in the near future could have passed again.

Their performance against Sligo wasn’t overly surprising and it will take a

TARGET MAN:

The imposing Aidan O’shea could be key for Mayo in the Connacht nal and

Mayo’s Paddy Durcan tries to stop Damien Comer of Galway during last year’s League nal lot of luck and change for them to be challenging at the latter end of the Champi-onship.

Mayo should win tomorrow, all being equal, but the draw changes the dynamic. It will be interesting to see if it has any impact.

RTE

Tomorrow (4pm): Pearse Stadium, D Gough (Meath) MAYO have won four of Rob Finnerty hit 1-5 the last ve Championship against Sligo, including 1-4 meetings between the sides from play, but will be tagged and nine of the last 13. more closely here. They really

The more telling statistic need him to step up as though is that Galway a forward leader. haven’t knocked Mayo out Damien Comer came on of the Championship since after 42 minutes against 1998. The back door came Sligo and scored twice as in three years later. well as setting up the late

Mayo, on the other hand, winning goal. Shane Walsh have knocked Galway out hit one point. There was no of the Championship in four sign of Cillian Mcdaid or of the last ve years, with Matthew Tierney. the only other side to send Galway may be down them packing being Kerry in too many of their top stars. the 2022 All-ireland nal. They also need Walsh to hit

It suggests Mayo have form. He’s generally tracked more nerve and ght in by Patrick Durcan. them. Galway will love to Mayo have plenty of hear that. weaknesses though. Their

This is not a knockout shot selection continues to game though, but a Connacht be desperate at times. title is on the line. Maybe they want to pull the trigger before facing a mass defence, which suggests they don’t fancy trying to break it down.

And they’re overly reliant on Ryan O’donoghue for scores. O’donoghue versus Johnny Mcgrath will be a huge battle.

Mayo will be fully aware of Sean Kelly’s goal threat from deep and may man mark him.

Galway will test Mayo’s patience and option taking, but unless Comer is fully t and terrorises them, you’d fancy Mayo.

It doesn’t get much better in provincial nals for Galway, with Mayo winning the last four Connacht deciders between the sides.

2008 was the last time the Tribe beat Mayo in a Connacht nal.

Galway disposed of London easily, but struggled with Sligo, whereas Mayo put Roscommon away quite impressively.

Much will depend on who starts for Galway and who doesn’t.

HOME GALWAY v MAYO Four DRAW AWAY VERDICT:

All-ireland routes have taken pressure off Connacht duo