London calling for Galway after disrupted Div 1 season

At one stage during their Allianz Football League campaign, Galway selector John Conannon said they would have been better playing seven-a-side games such was the mounting injury list they had to contend with.

"There was one week when we had 21 injuries," he says.

"The only positive from the entire campaign was that we blooded some young lads and held our Division 1 status.

"But it was a baptism of fire for those lads and we threw them in a lot quicker than we would have liked."

Despite their injury woes, there were flashes of positivity for Galway this spring.

Johnny McGrath's man-marking, the emergence of Cillian Ó Curraoin, Jack McCabe, Patrick Egan and Liam Ó Conghaile, and maintaining their top-tier status.

At times too their attacking play looked fluid and potent.

"Yes, there were positives. But across seven games we only had flashes of that forward play," Concannon notes.

"We are around too long to get too excited about that because without consistency flashes are no good.

"But back to those young lads. It’s because of them that we will hold our Division 1 place."

As selector and forwards coach, Concannon has been startled by the lack of key personnel available for the season so far.

"The split season is simply not conducive for inter-county preparation," he says.

"We had two or three injuries from the club scene and two or three injuries from colleges' football.

"There isn’t enough time. Just not enough time. We played three matches back-to-back there in the league and you are looking to get ready at the same time for a trip to London to start the championship too."

So far this season players like Sean Kelly, who they hope will be fit for London at the weekend, key stars like Damien Comer, Shane Walsh, Rob Finnerty, Matthew