Pádraic Joyce still has the sledgehammer but sometimes a more delicate tool is needed

Finishing third in their group behind Armagh and Dublin means Galway will travel to Newry this weekend for a preliminary quarter-final against Down. 

17 June 2025; Galway footballer Shane Walsh poses for a portrait with the Sam Maguire Cup at the national launch of the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Series at the Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

In his first year or two as Galway manager, Shane Walsh believes Padraic Joyce might have blown the dressing room door off its hinges had his side been eight points down at half-time in a season-on-the-line championship game. That did not happen on Saturday against Armagh. 

Joyce still has the sledgehammer in the toolshed but it doesn't suit every job. The Kingspan Breffni dressing room door remained intact and Galway emerged through it to pull off the type of comeback win upon which seasons turn.