TUAM STARS Joyce’s men shine bright in spiritual home of Galway football

GALWAY are on the move but boss Padraic Joyce insists they won’t be losing the run of themselves.

The Tribe dished out a 19-point hammering to a shell-shocked Tyrone side at Tuam Stadium, with Mickey Harte’s men finishing with 13 players and losing All-star Cathal Mcshane to a serious leg injury.

Joyce said: “We didn’t envisage we’d win the game by so much. There’s a number of factors in that, the sending-offs and the unfortunate injury to Cathal Mcshane. “I knew we were going to give a good performance and what a place to do that, in the spiritual home of Galway football with great support again. We’re in a good place.”

The Tribesmen led by 0-12 to 0-6 at the break after Tyrone opted to play against the breeze and Joyce’s men were good value for that advantage after some superb flowing football which saw all six forwards score from play before the break and Corofin’s Ronan Steede land three magnificent efforts from midfield. Galway skipper Shane Walsh was magnificent throughout but after he extended their lead after the break, Tyrone rallied in spite of losing Mcshane and three pointed frees from Darren Mccurry and one from play helped cut the gap to a goal.

But then Walsh slotted home a penalty on 51 minutes after Damien Comer was fouled, and with Frank Burns getting his marching orders for a foul on Walsh, the Tribe pulled away.

Galway’s ability to move the ball at pace opened up the Tyrone rearguard when they had the breeze and then they exploited the extra space when Harte’s men were reduced to 13.

“Nothing travels faster than the ball on the pitch, I tell the lads all the time and they moved the ball really well,” added Joyce.

Adrian Varley and Eamonn Brannigan kicked a string of points and Paul Conroy came off the bench to shoot 1-1 as Galway scored their biggest ever win over Tyrone in 25 league meetings.

“I can’t ever remember a day like it,” said Harte. “But it all goes to prove you never know what is around the corner. You have to just to chew it when it comes and hope you can do better the next day.

“But for me the saddest thing is Cathal Mcshane’s injury. Everyone is very down at the outcome of that game — at both the scoreline and the loss of Cathal.

“That has an awful impact on players.”