Cillian Ó Curraoin: ‘For an inside-forward, they are unbelievable. I was looking forward to it for a long, long time’

The Galway man was aprt of the side that saw off Armagh.

NEW ERA: Galway’s Cillian Ó Curraoin during the reunion with Armagh last weekend. Pic: INPHO/Evan Logan

This is a strange new world for Cillian Ó Curraoin. The young forward was named man of the match on Saturday as Galway saw off All-Ireland champions Armagh in Salthill. Bright Pearse Stadium lights, new rules, a dream.

“For an inside-forward, they are unbelievable,” he said of the new rules after the six-point triumph in Pearse Stadium. GAA president Jarlath Burns was a guest of honour for the unveiling of the recently developing floodlights and a strong crowd turned out for a rematch of the 2024 All-Ireland final.

“I was looking forward to it for a long, long time. I went up and I watched the Interpros and I was really licking my lips. So, it was great to just come out in front of a crowd and just play. It is great. I enjoyed it, everyone did.” 

The Micheal Breathnach’s clubman joined the senior squad last year after an impressive campaign with the U20s. His accuracy and ability from range make him an even more valuable option in 2025. Ó Curraoin spent the last few weeks swapping between the old game in the Sigerson Cup and this new version of Gaelic football. He scored three points last week against UL as University of Galway bowed out in Round 3.

“Everyone will take their own spin on it. Everyone is kind of sussing each other out. We saw that in the first half. What are they going to do with kickouts? What are they going to do with the press? It'll take a while for everyone to get their own spin and dynamic to it. It is exciting.

“It is kind of interesting. I was actually saying to one of the lads today that we went from the old rules Wednesday night to the new rules today. Even in the last few weeks of Sigerson, we were going from the old rules to the new rules. It is a massive contrast. You'd love coming back to Galway training sometimes, you are so frustrated playing Sigerson because of the old rules.” 

Will they suit Galway? That depends. Last weekend they persisted with their controlled possession approach, kicking clear midway through the second half thanks to three two-pointers in a row. That is something they can profit from over the coming weeks.

“We're blessed with kickers in Galway and we always were. I suppose the last few years with blanket defences it was hard to use kickers, it was hard to use skilful players. But I think this is a really good chance for the likes of Conroy, for the likes of Shane Walsh, any other forward in that dressing room to really express themselves and use that two-point arc.” 

There were new faces on the sideline and in the stand too. Corofin’s Dave Morris and former Cavan manager Mickey Graham have joined Joyce’s ticket. Cian O’Neill was regarded as the main coach over the last three years but Ó Curraoin said the entire ticket take a part of training now.

“Mickey and Dave are unreal. They have brought their own kind of spin to it. It is great to hear their opinions on the new rules and a new fresh voice coming in. It is great to have them.

“There's no set coach. Everyone does their own bit. Divo (John Divilly) always does his own bit. Mickey does his bit. Dave does his bit. Padraic does his bit. Scan [John Concannon] does his bit. Everyone does their own bit.”