Galway see off 14-man Armagh under bright Salthill spotlight

Galway won in their first outing under their recently developed Pearse Stadium floodlights and the new Gaelic football rules

Galway’s Cillian McDaid and Armagh’s Greg McCabe. Pic: ©INPHO/Evan Logan

Allianz NFL Division 1: Galway: 1-12 (1-3-6) Armagh: 0-9 (0-0-9)

Does it feel different? Not exactly. In the end, the 2024 All-Ireland finalists played out an uninspiring contest in dreadful conditions. For Galway, it was still a successful venture. The new Pearse Stadium floodlights were unveiled, the squad grew deeper and a win is a win.

Young prospects Cillian Ó Curraoín and Daniel O’Flaherty impressed as Galway saw off an Armagh side who finished with 14 men thanks to Niall Grimley’s red card on the hour mark for a strike. The new Gaelic football rules didn’t have an ideal stage to shine.

Storm Éowyn’s wrath was felt in Salthill. Before the match, Dr Mannix Road was littered with fallen trees and damaged fences. The air was buzzing with the sound of chainsaws from morning. A strong travelling support gathered pre-match for the unveiling of new floodlights with GAA president Jarlath Burn present to press the big red button. How fitting given the same man is responsible for the new rules’ rollout, having entrusted Jim Gavin and his committee to reconfigure the sport.

Throw-in was delayed due to traffic congestion and minutes before it did start, a blast of wind and rain soaked what was already a shoddy-looking pitch. Armagh started best yet Galway still led 1-4 to 0-5 by half-time after a first-half that resembled much of last year’s All-Ireland decider.

The last meeting between these two teams produced the least number of turnovers ever seen in an All-Ireland final, 20. This tie had over 30. Galway maximised every possession, getting a shot off on 76% of their phases compared to Armagh’s 53%. At times Oisin Conaty, Rory Grugan and Andrew Murnin spent time inside but generally, both teams were fluid with it.

The three-up resulted in some confusion. Galway broke the rule in the first half, for a simple Rory Grugan free. Armagh did it in the second half and Shane Walsh elected to go for two from outside the arc, something Kieran McGeeney wasn’t aware was an option.

Despite numerous solo and goes, the first goal came from a kicked free. Finnian Ó Laoi, who hasn’t played for Pádraic Joyce’s side since the 2022 All-Ireland final due to time spent abroad, punted forward and Cillian McDaid eventually sent Ó Curraoín away. Aidan Forker fouled him and Matthew Tierney coolly slotted the spot-kick.

What about the goalkeepers? Connor Gleeson racked up significantly more than the five possessions he enjoyed last July. Both of them came forward on numerous occasions. When Armagh were chasing late on, they introduced Ethan Rafferty who was fouled for a converted free. Oisin Conaty carried his form into 2025 with a four-point salvo, the best of them after a terrific kick pass by Grugan.

Three two-pointers in four minutes swung the tie and finally captured the crowd. This is key.

In the aftermath of that euphoric All-Ireland triumph, there have been countless emotional and enlightening interviews with some of the great characters in this Armagh team. Their manager did it differently, as is his wont. Kieran McGeeney’s sole longform discussion came on a Brazilian jiu-jitsu podcast earlier this month. In it, he spelt out why that martial art means something special to him beyond the chokeholds and locks.

“When most people hear those sentences, all they will hear is someone getting choked or you are trying to break someone’s arm. The point of your sentence there is that it is a type of mediation. You can’t think of anything else in your life at that point in time apart from that moment. One mind or no mind. That is how you are able to clear and cleanse your mind, that is what it is for us. If you want to put it bluntly, when someone is trying to break or kill you, you are very much present.” 

That is precisely what we want from Gaelic football as well. Too many games in recent years have become a secondary sideshow, a backing track to general conversations in the stand. The game should consume everything in its environment. Paul Conroy’s classic two-point kick came after two two-point frees from Ó Curraoín and Walsh, finally offering cause for a roar. After a dull exchange, Galway sprung and rapidly slipped an arm around Armagh’s neck. The All-Ireland champions could not escape it.

Scorers for Galway: C. Ó Curraoín 0-5 (1 2pt, 2 f); M. Tierney 1-1 (1 pen, 1 free); P. Conroy 0-2 (1 2pt); S. Walsh 0-2 (1 2ptf); D. O’Flaherty 0-1, F Ó Laoi 0-1.

Scorers for Armagh: O. Conaty 0-4; R. Grugan 0-4 (3 free); C. Turbitt 0-1 free.

GALWAY: C. Gleeson; J. McGrath, S. Fitzgerald, D. O’Flaherty; D. McHugh, J. Daly, S. Kelly; P. Conroy, C. McDaid; C. Sweeney, F Ó Laoi, C. Darcy; C. Ó Curraoín, M. Tierney, S. O’Neill.

Subs: S. Walsh for O Laoi (10-15, temp); S. Walsh for McDaid (42); J. Maher for Tierney (45); L. Silke for O’Neill (54); K. Molloy for Kelly (63); J. Heaney for Ó Laoi (67).

ARMAGH: B. Hughes; T. McCormack, B. McCambridge, A. Forker; C. Mackin, G. McCabe, J. Duffy; B. Crealey, N. Grimley; S. Campbell, S. McPartlan, D. McMullan; O. Conaty, A. Murnin, R. Grugan.

Subs: C. O’Neill for Crealey (6-8, temp); C. Turbitt for McPartlan (half-time); R. McQuillan for Forker (38); C. McConville for Duffy (49); J. Og Burns for McCormack (60); E. Rafferty for Hughes (60).

Red card: N. Grimley (60).

Referee: C. Lane (Cork).