Éamonn Fitzmaurice expecting Damien Comer to shine on All-Ireland final day

Éamonn Fitzmaurice is expecting Damien Comer to produce his best in Sunday's All-Ireland final as the talismanic forward approaches full fitness.

Comer started the semi-final victory over Donegal, delivering an accomplished performance but not lighting up the stage at Croke Park.

He continues his recovery from an ankle injury which was worsened by a stamp from Derry's Gareth McKinless in the group stages of the All-Ireland series.

The injury was controversial at the time, with Galway manager Pádraic Joyce telling RTÉ Sport afterwards that, "it's very hard to comprehend that a man would deliberately go out and try to hurt a fella. I'm just sickened that that has happened to Damien."

The injury came after a troubled 2023, where a persistent knee injury in the spring was followed by hamstring trouble in the summer months.

He saw minimal game time towards the end of this year's Allianz League campaign and it has been a frustrating 18 months for the Annaghdown clubman.

"I watched back the Donegal-Galway game and I think Comer is very close to exploding," he said on the RTÉ GAA Podcast.

"He had a frustrating game but he was very close to having a very good game. He still looked a small bit rusty, he was blowing hard at times from the lack of game time.

"I could see him having a huge game on Sunday. He's very close to getting back to where he can be.

"He has a record, no more than Shane Walsh, where he can pull these games out of nowhere. In the Connacht final he was absolutely exceptional and he'd very little football under his belt at that stage.

"Keep an eye on Comer, he could have a big one on the way."

Galway have been one of the unluckiest teams when it comes to injuries in 2024 with Seán Kelly and Rob Finnerty also picking up