12 July 2012
This Saturday sees the biggest Championship game in Casement since last July’s defeat to Down in the 2011 qualifiers. The fact that we are playing a Division 1 team, who we have not met before, makes for an exciting prospect. When you add in the replay of the Ulster minor hurling final against Down, well, that makes it just about unmissable.
The best thing of all about the Galway matchup is that is a very winnable fixture. We have no recent history V Galway at all, the last encounter being two league matches in successive mid 1990s campaigns. We do know that they beat Roscommon, and Roscommon beat us in the league…..but we also know that we accounted for Sligo in the league who in turn knocked the Tribesmen out of the Connaught Championship. Galway are inconsistent as shown by their two championship performance so far this season while during our Division 3 campaign we were the definition of inconsistency. Galway have a poor record in the qualifiers of late while under Liam Bradley we have finally found a degree of qualifier form.
Indeed prior to last year we had only won a single qualifier game, against Leitrim in the first year of the new system. Since 09 we have only been beaten in the back door by Kerry, Kildare and Down, teams that have been at the sharp end of the All Ireland series in recent years. Since 2009 we have won as many qualifier games as we have lost, with victory over Westmeath, Carlow and most recently London. The London win was tighter than most people seemed to expect although the days of easy victories in Ruislip have disappeared along with the Celtic Tiger.
Our Ulster championship defeat to Monaghan was a huge disappointment, and it was keenly felt among the squad and management. This Saturday is a shot at redemption and a chance to set the record straight.
Galway is a traditional powerhouse of Gaelic Football, and as last Sunday showed, a proud GAA county all round. But gone are the days of soft Antrim championship defeats and Saturday will be close, might close. Who knows how Galway will approach the game, though they will be bookies, pundits and media favourites.
You get the feeling that Saturday could be a great game of football. We are playing someone new, not another claustrophobic tie against another Ulster team. Our fellas have maintained a high level of performance in training and Bradley and co have a big, talented and committed squad to choose from. Bradley has pointed out the importance of a home venue, and lets all make sure there is a good home support in place.
It is tight – and very close to call, but there is an air of belief about our squad and I think we’ll have a keen interest in the draw for Round 3.
Do your bit, support our county, bring your colours and make plenty of noise. For those who cannot make it there will be in game score updates available at twitter.com/clubaontroma
Best wishes to our senior footballers and minor hurlers. Aontroim abu!
