Paul Conroy: ‘If Pádraic put a gun to my head in January, I probably wouldn’t be here’

There were concerns in Galway that 2024 Footballer of the Year Paul Conroy would call time on his inter-county career but the 36-year-old has returned and really showed his value against Monaghan

Paul Conroy was genuinely on the fence aboout whether he would return for Galway this year. Pic: ©INPHO/James Lawlor

This is what it is about. A cold, raw afternoon in Inniskeen, Paul Conroy, 36 years young, springing from the bench to swing over back-to-back two-pointers and steer Galway to victory. Then straight out with the subs afterwards for a few wind-lashed sprints.

There were fears out west that the 2024 Footballer of the Year might not feature this season, but it was confirmed last month that he had committed for another campaign. Conroy had come on in Galway’s previous two fixtures but Sunday against Monaghan was where he really showed his value. His kicking from outside the arc was immense. His calm on the ball was vintage Conroy.