Limerick Galvin-ised for Kingdom
The Croom farmer could have been content with a promising career in basketball or he could have taken the easy option of retirement when diagnosed with a serious groin injury last year.
But instead, the man who captained the U21s to a historic first Munster title in 2000 wants a senior crown at the expense of his father's county of origin, Kerry.
"Naturally there was huge disappointment at not winning the All-Ireland U21 title, but we can have few complaints as we were beaten by a very good Tyrone team that day in Mullingar.
"However, the thrill and excitement at beating Waterford in the Munster final is still there and once you get a taste of victory you want more."
His school days at Árd Scoil Rís were busy. Outside the classroom he divided his time between rugby, Gaelic football and basketball. His prowess in the latter was remarkable, winning a Sprite Cup medal with Burger King Limerick in 2002 before gaining an international cap.
He benefited from the code and is quick to point out the positives.
"On a basketball court, which is much tighter than a pitch, you must be thinking faster. Hand-eye co-ordination is also very important in the game, as is your ability to field the high ball. They all apply in football and I would advocate basketball should form part of a Gaelic player's winter training schedule."
If the American code deserves praise, then so too does manager Liam Kearns. Galvin is fulsome in his praise. "When Liam Kearns became senior coach, he set the team goals, which we've managed to achieve, and anything after that were bonuses.
"In 2003 we set out to win three National League games in Division Two, which we did. Qualifying for the final was a real bonus and while it would have been great to have won it it wasn't the end of the world to lose.
"Getting to the Munster final was another goal which Liam set for us, but we didn't play well on the day and didn't deserve to win.
"After the thrashing we gave Cork in Páirc Uí Chaoimh in the semi-final, maybe, just maybe, in the back of our minds we felt we were good enough to beat Kerry and take the title. It was all going according to plan in the opening 20 minutes of that final, but like Cork this year, we weren't scoring and it proved very costly in the end.
"This year we were set two goals by Liam, retain our Division One League status and get back to the Munster final again. Both have been achieved.
"Along the way we were gaining valuable experience and, more importantly, confidence that we could compete with the best. In former years Limerick teams went out to take part, now we are going out to win. There's a big difference."
This Limerick senior team is the product of a five-year plan instigated by the county board. Galvin agrees it has been a tremendous success.
"Ten of that U21 team are involved at senior level and it has helped to create a great bond between us. There is tremendous spirit and character in the team and that was seen to great effect against Tipperary.
"Our defence was leaking goals that day but there was no panic. We had the confidence in our own ability to ride out the Tipperary storm and went on to win comfortably in the end.
"Against Waterford in the semi-final we set out to win the game early on and it became a stroll in the park for us, but the acid test is coming against Kerry.
"Munster championship medals are 10-a-penny in Kerry and mean nothing to them. They see this final as a stepping stone to greater things.
"Should we win it, it would be a dream come true. I couldn't put a price on what it would mean to Limerick if we were to beat Kerry."
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