Three matchups which will decide the All-Ireland football final

Rory Grugan and Rob Finnerty's like opponents, Jack Glynn and Paddy Burns, respectively, have a considerable challenge ahead.

CREATORS: Robert Finnerty of Galway in action against Rory Grugan of Armagh during the 2022 All-Ireland SFC quarter-final. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile

Number one vs number one 

In the last two years of championship football, Galway have only conceded three goals while scoring 14. Two of those came from their own kickout.

David McBrien’s blaster in the preliminary quarter-final last year came after a lost long kickout while Armagh picked off Connor Gleeson in the Sam Maguire series meeting for Conor Turbitt’s goal. Against Donegal, Gleeson persisted with his long approach. Galway’s performance on their restart was outstanding. They retained 13 of 14 long, scoring 0-5 and conceding nothing.

For Kieran McGeeney and his coaching team, the challenge is setting traps for Gleeson. They are well-equipped to compete in the middle. Speaking at the All-Ireland final media day, Joyce hailed his goalkeeper’s kickout variety.

“He can kick the ball 70/80 yards down the pitch and he can kick it five yards if you want. I think he has developed himself and improved his game unbelievably well and probably one of his better games for us was here against Mayo last year in the game we lost.

“He has brilliant kick-outs and it is great for us to have a ‘keeper like that, who can go short, go mid range, go long range whenever he wants and he is really accurate.” 

Meanwhile, Blain Hughes has been immense for Armagh and is now a leading All-Star contender along with Tyrone’s Niall Morgan. The Ulster outfit tend to go short much more than Galway. Armagh have only conceded 0-6 on their own kickout all year. The Connacht champions will have spent two weeks scheming for that considerable strength.

Stop the creators 

In every matchup conversation ahead of the decider, Shane Walsh and Damien Comer will come first. Both were awarded All-Stars in 2022. For Armagh, Conor Turbitt has scored 3-22 in championship. Beside him, target man Andrew Murnin has scored 0-6. They will command considerable attention too. Yet, Sunday’s fixture could well be decided by the showing of another force on both sides.

Galway’s top scorer in championship is Robert Finnerty, with 1-33. Armagh’s second top scorer is Rory Grugan with 1-12. They are both the leading assister for their counties. Grugan makes Armagh tick. He has created a remarkable 2-13 already. Finnerty has laid on 1-11. The last time they met, Peter McGrane marked the Salthill Knocknacarra man.

Finnerty scored one point from four shots. He also notched two frees out of three attempts. In the same game, Rory Grugan assisted 0-3. That influence must be curtailed. Their likely opponents, Jack Glynn and Paddy Burns, have a considerable challenge ahead.

Bench vs bench 

Speaking before the All-Ireland semi-finals, Peter Canavan said that of the four teams remaining, Armagh had the strongest panel. They went on to strengthen his case in the Kerry victory. Stefan Campbell came on and kicked 0-2. Ross McQuillan and Jarly Óg Burns landed a point each. Oisin O’Neill made his mark, as did Jason Duffy.

Galway have a more experienced starting team, with a combined 416 championship appearances versus Armagh’s 395. They both have stalwarts to come in. Campbell has logged 51 championship appearances; Johnny Heaney is on 42 and counting.

Galway have developed real depth since 2022 as well. Three starters from that tie, Heaney, Kieran Molloy and John Daly, have not been named to start this time around. Cein D’Arcy has featured consistently for Galway this season and is another physical presence to add to a giant middle eight. The likes of Jason Duffy, Burns and McQuillan can provide huge punch from the bench, but Heaney, Daniel O’Flaherty and Molloy should provide a well-timed counter. For every strength on one side, the other has an equal.