Galway must seize promotion chance – Conroy

PAUL CONROY says Division 2 leaders Galway must grasp this opportunity and secure promotion back to the top tier of the NFL this season after six years out of the top flight.

The 27-year-old St James’ midfielder starred once again at the weekend as Galway made it back to back wins in the League with victory over Clare at Pearse Stadium.

The Connacht champions claimed the FBD League title at the start of 2017 and with five points from their opening three games in the League, they are primed for promotion.

On Sunday they travel to Meath, and Conroy feels Galway need to keep the momentum flowing.

“It’s been a good start to the League. Disappointing on the first day with the draw against Cork but we bounced back since then and we have got two good wins under our belts,” said Conroy (above).

“It’s important that we get promotion because for a few years in a row we have been missing out on the last day. It’s in our own hands now. We just need to drive it on and take every game by itself because they are massive battles.

“If we got up to Division 1, you would be playing the best teams week in, week out. We are doing okay so far, but we only have three games played, and in other years we have been in good positions and we haven’t finished out.”

Galway have failed to deliver at the business end in recent years and they haven’t featured in Division 1 since they were relegated in 2011.

They have also stuttered in Croke Park during the summer – even though they beat Mayo on the way to winning their first Connacht title in eight years last season, Galway still haven’t won at HQ since 2001.

“It was disappointing against Tipperary in Croke Park last year. It probably took away from a relatively good year in terms of winning Connacht,” said Conroy.

“It’s all about learning and progression. We are progressing and learning with every game. We just need to keep playing and trying to drive it on now every weekend.

“The Connacht championship is further down the line and we won’t be worrying about that just yet.”