Bigger challenges ahead for Galway after Connacht final win, says Kelly

Galway captain Seán Kelly admits there are bigger challenges ahead for his team as they prepare for their All-Ireland series opener against Derry.

After a thrilling Connacht final victory over rivals Mayo, Galway face a tough group, which includes Derry, Armagh and Westmeath, three teams who Galway have had battles with in previous years.

While Galway have not been at their best this season, they won their third provincial title in-a-row with a comeback victory in Salthill on May 5th, something which Kelly hopes can give Galway momentum for the rest of the season.

"To be honest, it hasn’t really soaked in, the three in-a-row in Connacht. Maybe in 20 years I’ll realise that, but right now it’s all about what's next.

"There are bigger challenges ahead, but beating the arch rivals in any kind of final is good; they’ve got the better of us and knocked us out of the championship the last few years, so it was good to get a positive result like that. Hopefully, that can really kick on the squad now and we can keep building on that because we have massive challenges ahead.

"Our main goal is still not finished, but it’s going to be a huge challenge, and it starts with Derry."

After a difficult league campaign, and an unconvincing win over Sligo in the semi-final, Kelly admitted there was pressure on Galway to deliver.

When Mayo took a three-point lead in the second half in Salthill, it looked like another tight game which Galway would come out on the wrong side of.

However, a late rally, combined with a match-winning free kick from goalkeeper Conor Gleeson, meant Galway retained their title, with Kelly admitting it made it all the more sweeter.

"End of the result, yes. But when you are in the game, you probably prefer to be