Bradshaw claims Galway have new-found confidence

Experienced Galway defender Gareth Bradshaw said the manner in which the Tribesmen recovered from a poor start to preserve their Division 2 league status has seen them come into the championship with confidence.

The Tribesmen were early favourites for the drop but put a run of five good performances together to avoid relegation, after opening round losses to Meath, Donegal and Laois.

They took that confidence forward to the game against London in the opening round of the Connacht championship, winning by 3-17 to 0-7.

The league wins over Down and Armagh, along with a solid showing against Ulster champions Monaghan in their final game, were significant in their preparation for the real business of the year.

“We didn’t win the last game, but Monaghan are one of the best teams in the county at the minute, especially up in Clones,” he said.

“I don’t think we feared them going there, we gave them the utmost respect but, I think anytime we’ve played Monaghan in the past we’ve had fairly decent results.

“Things weren’t going too well at stages early on and we had a few honest chats. But no one remembers how you get on in the league,” he said.

The win in Ruislip three weeks ago was Bradhsaw’s return to championship action following his departure from the Galway squad mid competition last year.

After a hammering from James Horan’s Mayo, Galway recovered well through the back door with wins against Tipperary, Waterford and Armagh and they gave Cork a real run for their money in Croke Park before bowing out.

That lengthy run of summer football was missed by the Moycullen man, but on his return he can see the benefit its had in arming their young stars with vital championship minutes.

“Definitely its made a big impact on some of the young lads, the likes of the two Varleys, Cathal Mulryan and Damien Comer, while Joss Moore was flying it up until he got injured.

“But all them lads did give it a good injection of energy coming into it so there was plenty of competition for places.

“Halfway through the league Fiontain Ó Curraoin really kicked into gear. I think he stood up against Down when we really needed to get a win and ever since he has lorded it at midfield. We needed it over the last few years, someone to win primary possession and dominate.

“And Shane Walsh has grown up too. He has the talent, there is no two ways about, he’s a super player. He has everything, bags of talent, two feet. And we’re just hoping that he can give that same performance that he gave in London,” added Bradshaw.