Hanley says transition period over and it’s time to push on

Back in late 2011 when Alan Mulholland was appointed Galway football manager, he talked about transition.

“I think the Galway footballers need space and they need the people of Galway to be patient,” said Mulholland. “Honestly, I think we have to remove any thoughts of silverware next year. Maybe that’s not what people want to hear but it’s what the players need. My aim is to build a solid foundation and manage the transition because that is what is happening in Galway football.”

Nearly three years on, Finian Hanley is happy to declare that Galway’s phase of transition is over and statistics back up his claim. This weekend, they will play their first All-Ireland quarter-final tie since 2008. And they are through to the last eight as a reward for winning their first Round four qualifier tie since 2001 when, coincidentally, they won their last All-Ireland.