Flynn: Galway prospering from emergence of new leaders

The emergence of new leaders within the Galway set-up is the key to their march to an All-Ireland football final, according to Paul Flynn.

The Tribesmen booked their place in the decider against Armagh, but it wasn't the usual suspects who led the way in a two-point victory over Donegal.

Damien Comer, Shane Walsh and Paul Conroy have been the three leading lights for Galway over the last decade, and while Conroy was a key figure in ensuring a second All-Ireland final appearance in three years by chipping in with 1-01 from midfield – the two talismen up front were relatively quiet.

Beset by injury for parts of the season, Comer and Walsh were restricted to just a point from play between them, as others stepped up to the mark.

Paul Flynn says Galway's win today demonstrates the Tribesmen have new leaders pushing the team forward pic.twitter.com/nniNbflp9k

John Maher was a towering presence at centre-forward, while Corofin pair Dylan McHugh and Liam Silke shared four points between them from the half-back line, where Sean Mulkerrin also gave another assured performance.

Speaking on the Sunday Game, Flynn says it bodes well for Padraic Joyce’s side that they able to get the job done with the likes of Comer and Walsh not hitting their usual heights.

"They are obviously brilliant and have been so good for Galway," he said. "What Comer did today, carrying knocks and putting in a shift for 70 minutes, same as Walsh, that’s a really tough thing to do as a player.

"But now there are new leaders. McHugh is a leader, Maher is a leader, these guys are going out an owning it for Galway. Liam Silke today in the second half was phenomenal.

"It’s a credit to the whole Galway squad. They have gone through this year with loads of ups and downs, and