Shane Walsh Finds His Flow After Injuries
Shane Walsh finds his flow after injuries and believes Galway delivered their finest football of the season during the second half of their comeback against Armagh. After being eight points behind at halftime at Kingspan Breffni, things looked bleak for last year’s All-Ireland finalists. With Dublin and Derry neck and neck in Newry, Galway seemed to be on the brink of a disappointing championship exit. But the Tribesmen stormed back in the third quarter and nearly erased the deficit by the 50th minute. Speaking at the All-Ireland SFC knockout launch, Walsh reflected on the halftime chat, explaining that Armagh were sharper in front of goal, but Galway had enough chances they just hadn’t taken them. Manager Pádraic Joyce urged them to raise their intensity, and despite the scoreline, Walsh insisted, “It never felt like we were gone.”
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Rediscovering Confidence After Injury
Walsh, a 2022 All-Star, had been below his best against Dublin and Derry. Though he netted a quality solo goal in Celtic Park, he ended that match on the bench as Galway tried to salvage their campaign. But in Cavan, he was back to his best, scoring 0-07 from play and 0-10 overall. He credited this resurgence to rebuilding his confidence after being sidelined by injury. He admitted that returning mid-season is tough others are in sync, and you’re playing catch-up. That mismatch in rhythm can shake your belief. He felt hesitant in earlier matches but was uplifted by the unwavering support of his teammates who encouraged him to keep taking his chances.
Support from the Boss
Walsh also credited one-on-one talks with Joyce for helping him regain form. Though often seen as blunt in the media, Walsh described a more supportive side to his manager, noting that Joyce understood the pressure because he’d been a top scorer himself. That personal connection helped steady Walsh’s mindset heading into the Armagh clash. After the game, Joyce praised his “outstanding” performance, though he also remarked that it had been “a long time coming.” Known for being brutally honest, Joyce didn’t shy away from previously calling out missed chances by Walsh and Rob Finnerty. But Walsh said the team knows it’s not personal they often laugh it off because they understand where Joyce is coming from.
A Manager Who Has Evolved
Walsh observed a shift in Joyce’s halftime demeanor, saying the manager used to be fiery in earlier seasons but now focuses more on encouragement and belief. That calmer approach, particularly after the Derry game, helped lift the group’s morale. The team felt they hadn’t been reaching top form, but Joyce kept reinforcing their potential.
Looking Ahead to Down
Galway’s next challenge is a first championship showdown with Down since 1971. Walsh returns to a foggy venue he last played in during the 2024 club semi-final. He recalls a past run-in with Down manager Conor Laverty, who was coaching Cavan at the time. Walsh joked about the contrast between Laverty’s fiery sideline behavior and his post-match friendliness. With the knockout stages in full swing, Galway no longer need to monitor score permutations like they did last weekend. When trailing against Armagh, many fans hoped for a Dublin win to help their team survive on score difference. But Walsh said the players were focused solely on winning the game, with coaches telling them, “Never mind, just win.”
