Joyce’s return welcome, but he won’t be ‘main man’
A few of us enquired if he was returning for another campaign in 2012, however he was unsure and non-committal on the night.
The news yesterday that he is prepared to plough on for a 15th season at senior football ends that debate.
The question out west yesterday was twofold. Is it a good decision for him and for Alan Mulholland’s young team desperately bidding to change the county’s fortunes?
Mattie McDonagh, the only Connacht man to win four All-Ireland SFC medals, famously said once about a youngster’s ability to mix it with the big boys: ‘If he is good enough, he is old enough’. Conversely, if Joyce is good enough then he is young enough. I believe it is a good decision for Galway football once Joyce realises his role now has to be one of providing leadership, giving good example and using his vast experience to add value, both on and off, the field of play.
His days of playing 70 minutes of top inter-county championship football are well gone. He has to realise that he will not now be the “main man” in the forward division and his role may be more that of impact sub, rather than the high-scoring full-forward from the glory days of Galway football.
Joyce has been a magnificent player for Galway, perhaps one of the finest.
Nevertheless he will be 35 on April 1 and while he still has a wonderful touch, superb vision and power in possession, his pace has diminished.
That demise of pace has been accentuated by niggling injuries that have plagued him over the past few seasons.
The style of football that Mulholland favours involves very high intensity of work-rate and support play at speed.
His All-Ireland successes as manager in 2007 (minor) and 2011 (U21) were based on such tactics and obviously he will be keen to maintain and develop such strategies.
Joyce can be a really positive contributor to that process and thedevelopment of a new Galway football team, but it will require a change in how he views his role in the set-up. Once he is content with that fact and Mulholland can keep him motivated despite less game time, then his return will be a major positive. Otherwise, there will be sparks. Mulholland has huge support within Galway football now, even more so since last Sunday’s fine win over Derry.
Joyce will know that more thananyone, and he will have to be able to adapt to his new role.
