Spring in the step for fit and fresh Galway

After a spring counting injuries, a rejuvenated Galway are now bouncing into the summer with a pep in their step.

Padraic Joyce cut a joyous figure at full-time in the Connacht final, with goalkeeper Connor Gleeson's late, late free ensuring a provincial three-in-a-row for the Tribesmen.

Afterwards he explained the difficulties during the league – "it's been a troublesome year for us" made the victory all the sweeter, with a number of his returning stars swinging the game in their favour.

While injuries are part and parcel of the game, Galway were dealing with a crippling absentee list.

At least 14 players missed league action due to injury, and it was the calibre of player ruled out that really stung.

Four of their five 2022 All-Stars were significantly sidelined. Damien Comer and Cillian McDaid did not play a minute during the league, Liam Silke appeared just once.

While it allowed the likes of Cillian Ó Curraoin, Liam Ó Conghaile, Jack McCabe and Patrick Egan more exposure at the top level, it was significant that it was the main men, still on the comeback trail, that steered the ship home against Mayo when victory appeared to be going the way of the visitors.

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Speaking on the RTÉ GAA podcast, Kerry’s 2014 All-Ireland-winning manager Éamonn Fitzmaurice said that with the championship moving into the All-Ireland series group stages – Galway will face Derry, Westmeath and either Donegal or Armagh – the men from the west are in a great place.

"If they can keep all of their players fit