Michael Meehan: Galway football return unlikely

Former Galway captain Michael Meehan has conceded he’s ‘unlikely’ to revive his inter-county career.

The hugely talented forward was forced to withdraw from the Galway set-up last March due to long-term ankle trouble.

It was interpreted at the time as retirement at the age of just 29 though Galway quickly clarified that the Caltra man was merely taking an extended break from football.

Since the appointment of new manager Kevin Walsh, there’s been constant speculation in the county Meehan will be recalled.

But the player admitted that while he’s spoken to Walsh about a return and would ‘love to’ accept, it’s a long shot.

“I stepped away last year because I had no option,” said Meehan. “Can I go back? I’d love to. But it’s unlikely. I’d love to get back and do something, start off and play as much as I can, if I can.

“I spoke to him (Walsh) a few times but there’s no pressure coming from anywhere.

Meehan admitted it was a relief to leave the Galway panel last year as he was getting no enjoyment from consistently battling the ankle problem.

He suffered what he described as ‘serious cartilage damage’ in the Connacht semi-final replay defeat to Sligo in 2010 and has been merely managing the injury since.

It came to a head last year when the former All-Ireland club medallist felt he had no option but to leave the panel.

“I just needed a break from it last year, it was all consuming for four years,” he said. “It gets difficult when 90% of the time, you’re in the gym.

“It was a relief at the time just to step away. It was a hard thing to do but a relief. The enjoyment, there was none.

Galway coped well in Meehan’s absence last summer, reaching a first All-Ireland quarter-final in six years.

They’ve been billed as potential Championship dark horses this year under new boss Walsh and have won both of their Division 2 league games so far.

They will also welcome back Corofin stars like Michael Lundy and Gary Sice and, potentially, several more after the All-Ireland club final.

Meehan accepted that Mayo continue to set a high benchmark in Connacht however. “Competition is building strongly inside Connacht now,” he said.

“Whether someone can take Mayo down, I don’t know, they’re the measure. Historically, it would always have been that way, Galway-Mayo, one beats the other and wins the Connacht title. Mayo have four-in-a-row at the moment, they’ve dominated now in the last few years so that’s the big challenge.”

As for Corofin qualifying for the All-Ireland final, Meehan said he wasn’t surprised. “I would have fancied them,” he said. “St Vincent’s are a phenomenal team but going two years in a row for the All-Ireland is seriously tough going. There’s going to be a time when the bite, the hunger, that little element mightn’t be there that was the year before.”