Ciarán Whelan: Galway need a better scoring return in their foward ranks

Ciarán Whelan believes Galway need to see a bigger contribution from their much-vaunted attack.

Surprsing words some may say, when you consider a forward division that contains the likes of Damian Comer, Matthew Tierney and Shane Walsh.

In looking ahead to Sunday's Connacht SFC final against Sligo, Whelan feels it's a game where the Tribesmen can further "work on that structure in the forward line".

Pádraic Joyce's side are warm favourites to retain their provincial crown against opposition, while improving, spent the spring getting promotion from Division 4.

Speaking on the latest edition of the RTÉ GAA Podcast, the former Dublin star was upfront on what he feels Joyce will want from his side at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park.

"I think he will want a bigger contribution fom his forward line," he said.

"At the back they are fairly solid; they are very structured there, very organised.

"If you look at Galway's performances, even going back to the Derry game last year [All-Ireland semi-final], Comer carried them. Shane Walsh then came to the fore in the final. Comer again the last day [against Roscommon] really dragged them through.

"Matthew Tierney was brilliant during the league but has gone a little bit quiet in the championship. Joyce will be looking for a little bit more from his forward line in terms of pitching in and getting scores.

"You'd expect Galway to put up a really, big score; it's about building the confidence of those players in the forward line, that they're getting a little bit more from everybody.

"From 1 to 9, we know they are going to be solid. John Maher has been a revelation in the middle of the park and Cooke [Peter] dops into that space as well."

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