Pádraic Joyce Spared as Paddy Tally’s Chance Slips
Galway and Derry played out a thrilling All-Ireland group stage draw, leaving both managers—Pádraic Joyce and Paddy Tally—with mixed feelings as the final whistle blew. For Joyce, it was relief after a late goal saved Galway’s season, while Tally was left frustrated after seeing his Derry side surrender a comfortable lead. The draw was a rollercoaster, with Derry looking much improved from their recent loss to Armagh and on track for victory until Galway’s Matthew Tierney found the net late on. Despite conceding the game’s final score—just as they did against Dublin—Galway held on for a point that keeps their championship hopes alive.
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Galway Fight Back to Stay Alive
Derry were in control, leading by eight points with just over 20 minutes remaining, but Galway came roaring back. Now, instead of facing elimination, they go into a decisive clash with Armagh—who have already qualified—knowing a win will send them through. Joyce admitted he wasn’t impressed with his team’s overall performance but was glad they showed resilience when it mattered. “We panicked a bit in the second half,” he told RTÉ Sport. “Sixteen missed shots at goal isn’t good enough.” Despite briefly leading late on, Galway couldn’t see out the win, which reminded Joyce of their collapse against Dublin. “Once again, we didn’t press the kickout, and it cost us,” he said. Still, the draw gives them a lifeline and two weeks to prepare for the Armagh test.
Derry Left to Regret Letting It Slip
For Derry, it was a case of what might have been. A win would have put them in a stronger position, but now they need to beat Dublin to stay in the competition. Manager Paddy Tally felt his team had done enough to win. “We were brilliant for most of the game. That last goal was a scramble—one that got away,” he said. Tally was especially disappointed by how his team lost control in midfield, allowing Galway to build momentum and pick off easy scores. “When you’re eight points up, you should be closing the game out,” he added. Although the draw doesn’t end their hopes, it adds pressure heading into their final match.
Everything to Play for in Final Round
Despite their frustrations, both managers know everything is still up for grabs. Galway must beat Armagh, while Derry need a victory over Dublin. As Tally summed it up, “It’s in our own hands. We’ve got to beat Dublin in the last game.”
