Padraic Joyce claims league fate 'in our own hands' after draw with Donegal

Galway manager Padraic Joyce. Pic: John McVitty/Inpho

Tyrone's relegation from Division 1 last year - after accumulating seven points - was an anomaly. Galway, now sitting on four with just two games left, leave a little work to do.

The Tribesmen historically have a good league record against Donegal, losing just three in 15. They were last beaten by the Ulster team in 2014 in Salthill.

Padraic Joyce had every reason to believe that good run would continue as his team were primed to inflict a first defeat of 2026 on Jim McGuinness. 

His Galway side played against 14 men from the 32nd to the 70th minute with Stephen McMenamin sent off for two yellows on 46 after Michael Langan had returned from a black-card.

But Donegal, through Jason McGee, Michael Murphy and Peadar Mogan’s late two-pointer salvaged a share of the spoils at 1-17 to Galway’s 0-20. Galway go to Monaghan and then welcome Dublin in their last two.

“We've travelled to Armagh, travelled to Kerry, and here, and come away with four points,” Joyce said afterwards. “It is in our own hands.” 

Galway remained without Shane Walsh and Damien Comer, while Conor Gleeson was a late change in goal for Eamon McGrath. However, Joyce was content with the younger players mucking in with the more experienced charges.

“What happened there today with Oisin [Mac Donnacha] kicking scores and Ciarán Mulhearn was very good,” Joyce added. “Overall I think I'd be really, really happy with our performance. The tackling, the hitting, the turnovers was really, really good.

“I thought Cian Hernon was really good for us as well there at the back and Jack Glynn again continued his form really well. But our core men out there, the John Mahers, Matty Tierney, Sean Kelly, Dylan McHugh, they're the guys driving the whole thing on.”