Pádraic Joyce targets All-Ireland glory despite Galway panel losses

Michael Bolton

Galway manager Pádraic Joyce is dealing with changes to his intercounty panel this season.

Galway have been dealt the blow of Tomo Culhane, Johnny Heaney and Matthew Thompson being unavailable for the upcoming campaign.

"Tomo has had some serious hamstring injuries, so he's gone away to get his body right so he can try and play inter-county [in the future].

"Johnny is a stalwart of Galway. He's been there for numerous years, before I got involved. The way he plays, he could be there after I'm gone as well, I don't know. But he's taking a year out. He recently got married there and decided he can't commit to it this year."

Young Footballer of the Year nominee Matthew Thompson will also miss the league campaign and part of the championship, as he is taking a place in the University of California in Berkeley on Erasmus.

"He's heading off on an old Erasmus in January. And we won't have him for the National League and probably the Connacht championship as well. He's not back until May.

"He's a bit of a loss to us, but it'll give someone else a chance to step up."

Looking back on last season's campaign, Joyce admitted the lead-up to their All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Meath could have impacted the team.

After winning a fourth straight Connacht title, Galway were in a group of death once again, along with Derry, Armagh and Dublin.

Three thrilling games followed, which set up a preliminary quarter-final which they were pushed all the way by Down to earn their victory.

By the time the quarter-finals came around, Meath made the quicker start, which Galway could not recover from.

Joyce said travelling did the squad no favours.

"I think the biggest thing was the travel involved," says Joyce, reflecting on last summer. "We had to travel to Derry, Cavan, Newry and Dublin in the space of a couple of weeks. And you're staying overnight and all that kind of stuff. It's not ideal.

"But, again, we put ourselves in that situation as well. We're not looking for huge excuses or anything like that, but it definitely didn't help.

"But, again, we didn't perform the days we were supposed to perform. So we only have ourselves to blame.

"Against Meath, we didn't perform at all in the first 25 minutes of the game. And then we got caught at the end when he had a bit of momentum and didn't see it out.

"Meath played better than us on the day and deserved their victory. We didn't hit the performance level we're used to.

"It was probably a disappointing season overall because of the squad we have and their capabilities."

One of the longest-serving managers currently in the game, Galway has made huge improvements under Joyce.

Reaching the All-Ireland final in 2022 and 2024, Galway have put themselves back amongst the main challengers for Sam Maguire.

However, with the failure to secure a title since 2001, success will only be defined by an All-Ireland title for Joyce.

"For a long number of years in Galway, we weren't competing at the top table. The last couple of years, at least, we're getting up there. We're playing in the big games, we're getting a lot of experience.

"The ultimate goal for us is to win the All-Ireland. I'd be lying if I said anything else. That's what the ambition is in the group.

"The biggest challenge for us is keeping all our main lads fit and in form when the time comes. But a successful season for us is going to be winning the whole thing out."

Despite some speculation, Joyce continued as manager after the defeat to Meath last June, in a summer that saw several counties appoint new managers.

Despite signing on for another three years, the Galway manager was quick to point out he may not see the duration of his time.

"I wouldn't say I'm staying until 2028, I have a chance to stay till that, if I want. We'll take it year by year."