Triple blow for Galway: Thompson puts education first as Heaney and Culhane opt out

It has still not been confirmed that Peter Cooke will be part of the Galway football panel for the upcoming season

Galway footballer Matthew Thompson will fly to the US next week as part of his Global Commerce studies. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile

Galway will be without Young Footballer of the Year nominee Matthew Thompson for the National League and Connacht championship, with the University of Galway student due to fly to America next week for his studies.

It is a big blow for Pádraic Joyce’s side. Thompson was nominated for an All-Star last year after enjoying a remarkable breakout campaign.

Speaking at the FBD Connacht League launch, Joyce said he expects the key forward will return in the middle of May. The Connacht final is scheduled for the weekend of May 9/10.

“Matthew's heading to Berkeley for Erasmus,” said Joyce. “He is heading next week actually. He won't return until probably middle of May.

“He is doing global commerce and it is part of his education to get out there. He has been lucky enough to be selected where he got to go to, out to Berkley. It is a big opportunity for him.

“We'll work with him. He is a great young fella. He is in great shape at the minute. We might try and get him into football before he gets away. He has had a super year last year with us. Brilliant find for us. Great campaign with Salthill as well. 

"He is going to be a big loss to us, but it will give us a chance to step up. Hopefully when he comes back he'll be in decent shape for the rest of the campaign.” 

The four-in-a-row Connacht champions will also have to plan without two forwards after Johnny Heaney and Tomo Culhane opted out for the 2026 campaign.

Heaney, who has been part of the panel since 2015 and has six Connacht championship medals, has opted out for the coming season. It is understood the Killannin clubman has not retired from intercounty football. The wing-forward has played in two All-Ireland finals for Pádraic Joyce’s side. 

Galway’s Tomo Culhane kicks the winning point in the 2024 All-Ireland SFC quarter-final against Dublin. Pic: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Tomo Culhane has also opted out after suffering repeated injuries to both hamstrings. The 24-year-old continued to deal with hamstring trouble during the club campaign, eventually making it back to play in the Galway SFC final last October.

Culhane scored a superb goal against Down in Galway’s preliminary quarter-final victory. The Salthill-Knocknacarra clubman also scored the winning point in the 2024 All-Ireland quarter-final victory over Dublin in Croke Park.

Heaney and Culhane did not play in Galway’s eventual exit from the championship as they were defeated by Meath in the All-Ireland quarter-final.

Interestingly, Culhane was pictured at a recent Leader Kicking Talent ID session at Sport Ireland’s Campus. The American football kicking sessions are run by Tadhg Leader, who helped former Down goalkeeper Charlie Smyth to the NFL where he is currently with the New Orleans Saints.

Meanwhile, it has still not been confirmed that Peter Cooke will be part of the panel for the upcoming season. The Maigh Cuilinn missed the entire 2024 season and 2025 league but rejoined the panel before the championship.

Cooke commuted from London for his club as they secured a Galway SFC title and reached the Connacht final.

“If Peter is to commit, he’ll have to be at home,” said Joyce.

“I spoke to Peter a couple of times. We're just waiting again. It'll be another week or two to see what's happening there. He won't be able to commit if he's travelling over and back from London.”

Galway are set to face Leitrim in Round 2 of the FBD League this Saturday in Tuam stadium. The four-in-a-row Connacht champions kicked off their year with a 3-19 to 0-4 win over London last weekend.