The sums and the substance of Joyce’s Galway squad

Pádraic Joyce has logged 34 games and counting as Galway boss. In that time, he has played 70 different players. Two lead the way

CONSISTENT: Johnny Heaney of Galway in action against Fenton Kelly of Mayo. Pic: Ray Ryan/Sportsfile

To become the front-runners, they first had to crawl. For Pádraic Joyce it is 2,420, not out. Since 2020 across the FBD League, National League and championship, he has logged 34 games and counting as Galway boss. In that time, he has played 70 different players. Two lead the way.

It’s not captain Sean Kelly. Nor is it any of their five All-Stars from 2022. Under this regime, Johnny Heaney’s first day out ended on a medical buggy midway through the first half of an FBD clash with Mayo. In his opening league game he was shunted in corner-back. Paul Conroy was taken off in the same tie and dropped for the next round. They are now two of Joyce’s most trustworthy lieutenants.