Bradshaw ready for tough replay test
Galway were trailing 1-10 to 1-9 when Micheal Meehan was fouled late on and the Tribesmen turned to the unlikely figure of Bradshaw to take the kick.
He recalled: “They were stuck for a right-footed freetaker and Páraic Joyce didn’t fancy it as the way the wind was going across didn’t suit him.
“These are the days you have to step up. The pressure is always going to be on you on championship days. It took a bit of nerve but lucky it went over.”
Bradshaw insists drastic improvements will be needed ahead of Saturday’s replay in Markievicz Park throughout the camp.
A quad muscle problem restricted his training schedule prior to the game but he’s not using that as a factor to explain his display.
He agreed: “We have an awful lot of improving to do for the next day. We didn’t perform anywhere near our ability. Sligo on their home patch will be looking to turn us over as they did coming down here.
“I have a lot of improvement to do. It didn’t go right for me, I only came back training last Thursday but that is no excuse. When you go on the pitch you have to be prepared to give it your all.”
The eight-weeks hiatus Galway endured from competitive action did hinder their cause and the Atlantic breeze made for trying conditions for both teams. But Bradshaw praisedGalway’s refusal to give up on the game.
“It was a long while since we were in competitive action and that didn’t help matters. Sligo had a big advantage as they played recently. We struggled big time around the middle in the first half with the wind. We didn’t win enough clean possession or breaking ball. But we always believed, we kept plugging away and were lucky enough at the end that an opportunity arose to draw the game.”
TV3 will broadcast the replay of Sligo and Galway on Saturday evening from 5.30pm. The station confirmed that they will broadcast the All-Ireland SFC Qualifier between Dublin and Tipperary on Saturday, July 10 from 5.30pm.
