This time, Galway come out the good side of stone-cold classic

Shane Walsh of Galway after kicking the winning score of the game. Pic: James Lawlor/Inpho

All-Ireland SFC: Galway 2-22 Armagh 0-27

In the end, the margin was a point. Having lost a game by one and drawn their second, Galway secured a significant one-point triumph over an already qualified Armagh in Kingspan Breffni.

This was the third stone-cold classic in a row for Pádraic Joyce’s side. They were eight points down at the turnaround having had one Matthew Tierney penalty saved and another from Robert Finnerty flash over the bar. By the time Shane Walsh nailed a final free after the hooter, they were already safe. A win still meant something, a sign that they are still capable of going all the way.

“We were confident enough anyway,” said captain Seán Kelly. “We have had two games where we drew and lost by a point. So it’s not like we’re a bad team overnight or anything. There was always going to be tough games. Every game we play now, it’s going to be a point or two in the difference. Hopefully we can give the fans an easier result the next day for the hearts.”

Despite their first defeat in the championship since the 2023 loss to Tyrone, the All-Ireland champions still emerged from Saturday night with serious credit. They raced into a 0-15 to 0-7 half-time lead thanks to four two-pointers, with Ethan Rafferty, Niall Grimley, and Darragh McMullan all finding their range from play.

Rafferty was immense, saving one penalty and denying Matthew Thompson from point-blank range in the second half. He finished with seven points, including a point that stemmed from a kickout he caught himself.

Paddy Burns was taken off early due to a booking picked up for the second penalty concession. They rested some key men while getting valuable minutes into others.

“We still have the likes of Ben (Crealey), Rory (Grugan), and Oisín (O’Neill) are big misses,” said McGeeney.

On the other hand, Damien Comer’s late withdrawal from the matchday panel was an enormous blow for their opponents.

McGeeney said they had a few players who “probably weren’t just right”.

“I think the people who came on today, Grimley hasn’t played much all year, just come back after a few injuries, he was very good. So was Joe McElroy, loads of running, Cian McConville was excellent for us as well so there is no complaints that way, just a few mistakes that cost us very dearly.”

Galway’s bench made their mark too. 2024 Footballer of the Year Paul Conroy did not start but came in to score, win a two-point free and produce the last opportunity for Walsh. Tierney came back on having been brought off early and was immense in the clutch. Cathal Sweeney hit a point with his first possession and created a goal for club-mate Finnerty.

A strong start to the second half was marked with a John Maher goal but Armagh refused to yield, as is their trademark.

Having fallen behind for the first time with 15 minutes left, they reeled off five consecutive scores as their deep runners surged with Tiernan Kelly, Jarly Óg Burns, and Ross McQuillan racing in. A two-week break will be well received now. They continue to grow stronger.

It fell to Man of the Match Walsh to deliver his ninth score, having hit six from play, as they advance to the preliminary quarter-finals next weekend.

“It is about a full 26 panel,” said Kelly. “Whatever five/six get on, it is about making an impact and finishing the game strong, and thankfully, that’s what we did there for a positive result and we push on now.

“When we get to Monday, we will do our analysis on that game, look forward to the next opposition. We were here last year, we had that experience playing weekend in, weekend out, so we can really kind of lean on that.”

Scorers for Galway: S Walsh 0-9 (1 tpf, 1f); R Finnerty 1-4 (0-1 pen); J Maher 1-0; P Cooke 0-3 (1 tp); C McDaid 0-2; C D’Arcy, M Tierney, C Sweeney, P Conroy 0-1 each.

Scorers for Armagh: E Rafferty 0-7 (2 tpf, 1tp); R McQuillan, N Grimley, (1 tp), C McConville 0-3 each; D McMullan 0-2; R O’Neill, J Burns, P McGrane, S Campbell, S McPartlan, C Turbitt, A Murnin, J Duffy, T Kelly 0-1 each.

GALWAY: C Flaherty; J McGrath, S Fitzgerald, J Glynn; D McHugh, S Kelly, L Silke; P Cooke, J Maher; C McDaid, R Finnerty, C D’Arcy; M Tierney, S Walsh, M Thompson.

Subs: P Conroy for Tierney (33); D O’Flaherty for Silke (half-time); C Hernon for Fitzgerald (46 — Inj); C Sweeney for McHugh (54); M Tierney for Cooke (59); J Heaney for McDaid (68).

ARMAGH: E Rafferty; P Burns, B McCambridge, P McGrane; R McQuillan, T Kelly, J Óg Burns; J Duffy, N Grimley; D McMullan, R O’Neill, J McElroy; C McConville, A Murnin, C Turbitt.

Subs: T McCormack for McCambridge (20 – Inj); G McCabe for Burns (half-time); S Campbell for Duffy (54); C Mackin for Grimley (59); O Conaty for McMullan (63); S McPartlan for McConville (65-Inj).

Referee: N Mooney (Cavan).