Ó Maoilchiaráin: Comer and Walsh closing on on return

Seán Ó Maoilchiaráin: Conversations as gaeilge are common in the Galway squad. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Seán Ó Maoilchiaráin says Galway colleague and workmate Damien Comer is 'pushing really, really hard' to make it back for the Championship.

Powerful full-forward Comer, 32, has been plagued by injuries in recent years and has only started one game, a League tie against Kerry in 2025, since the 2024 All-Ireland final.

Comer has battled hamstring, knee and groin injuries since winning an All-Star award in 2022 and reportedly underwent surgery last October.

Galway selector John Concannon said at the start of this year's League that Comer was still 'nursing a knock' and he didn't feature at all in their Division 1 campaign.

The Tribesmen will begin their drive for five Connacht SFC titles in a row when they play Leitrim in Carrick-on-Shannon on Saturday and Comer isn't expected to feature.

But Ó Maoilchiaráin (Mulkerrin), the GAA's Irish Language Ambassdor for 2026, said his fellow secondary school teacher at Coláiste Bhaile Chláir can't be accused of slacking.

"We've seen over the years how good we can be when he's playing and how important he is to us, to the team," said defender Ó Maoilchiaráin. "He's just a brilliant player, an all rounder, strong, physical, powerful, speed, both feet, so direct.

"We only saw glimpses of him last year. He came on against Meath. I think he kicked a score straight away and he was winning ball out in front, bringing other lads into the game. He's a huge factor for us, a huge asset, and he's pushing hard. He's pushing really, really hard."

Ó Maoilchiaráin and Comer are joined by Galway colleague Paul Conroy on the teaching staff at work in Claregalway.

All three of them have battled serious injuries over the years with Conroy suffering a double leg break in 2019 and Ó Maoilchiaráin missing a season after shattering his kneecap in 2022.

"It's tough when you're injured," said Ó Maoilchiaráin, the first Aran Islands native to play League and Championship football for Galway.

"Personally, when I was out for that while with the knee, I suppose doubts creep in and all of that. 

But Damien is in great form and sure all he can do is what he's doing, trust what's around you and just keep putting in the hard yards and hopefully things will work out for him.

"Because as I said, he's such an important player for us. Obviously I'd be delighted to see him back and he's trying to get back as soon as possible."

Galway stayed in Division 1 despite an extensive injury list that also included former Footballer of the Year nominee Shane Walsh. The Kilmacud Crokes man came on in Galway's opening two League games but didn't feature after that.

"He's working hard as well, he's motoring really well," said Ó Maoilchiaráin of Walsh. "I know he picked up a bit of a knock in one of the League games, against Armagh. But he's motoring really well."

In the absence of Walsh and Comer, and an injury crisis generally, rookies Oisín MacDonnacha and Fionn McDonagh have stepped up, along with Ciaran Mulhern.

"We only had 15 or 16 at training some nights during the League, which is mad to think," said Ó Maoilchiaráin. "If there's injuries, that means there's opportunities for other fellas to put their shoulder to the wheel and put their hand up, and they really have."

Ó Maoilchiaráin himself didn't start a League game due to 'niggles' but featured in their last two matches, scoring a rare point against Dublin.

"I got the head down there for the last number of weeks so it's all good," he said.

Ó Maoilchiaráin is stepping into the Irish Language Ambassador role that Conroy filled in 2022. The Irish teacher said that conversations as gaeilge are common in the Galway squad.

"I think there's about 12 or 13 fluent Irish speakers," he said. "Even the lads with the cúpla focal would be listening in on conversations and picking up words. Micheál Ó Domhnaill, our selector, is from Carraroe and he'd be chatting away in Irish the whole time. Cian Breathnach as well. There's no shortage of Irish in the panel which is great."