Ecstatic Galway manager Padraic Joyce admitted their dramatic Connacht final victory over Mayo meant a huge amount to both players and management in light of the criticism they'd shipped in 2024.
Three injury-time frees saw Galway pip their traditional rivals at the death in Salthill, sometimes maligned goalkeeper Connor Gleeson striding forward to nail the winning free from outside the 45 to claim a famous one-point win.
Joyce, irked by the narrative surrounding his adverse managerial record against Mayo and at pains to note it was their third Connacht title victory in succession, paid tribute to his players for their perseverance over an injury-hit spring, singling out the match-winning keeper in particular.
"Our backs have been to the wall since January with injuries and a bit of form, but one thing I’ve always said about these players is I’d never, ever question the character in them.
"The game looked to be gone there, we were two points down and three wonderful scores to win it.
"Connor Gleeson probably gets so much unfair criticism in this county about kickouts and whatnot, but absolutely a man of steel there at the end. Ice in the brain. Two super kicks. Unbelievable."
Prior to this afternoon, Joyce as manager had only won one from eight matches against Mayo across league and championship, the 2022 Connacht opener in MacHale Park.
The Galway boss said he was acutely conscious of the narrative and the pressure surrounding him.
"Of course you are aware of it. When lads go writing articles about Padraic Joyce only beating Mayo once in eight matches, and it gets sent to you about 40 times, you have to read it.
"But (there's) nothing about the lads in the opposition not winning Connacht titles. It is what it is.
"We know the pressure. But I don’t think anyone puts more pressure on ourselves more than I do as manager.
"I know the talent in the group, and sometimes here in Galway we feel we don’t get the best out of the groups, but you need a lot to go your way as well.
"We're Connacht champions three years in a row. We haven't done it in a couple of years, so it's great."
"When lads go writing articles about Padraic Joyce only beating Mayo once in eight matches, and it gets sent to you about 40 times, you have to read it."
Galway's reward for winning is being plonked in the widely touted Group of Death, alongside league champions Derry and the losers of next weekend's Donegal-Armagh Ulster final, with Division 3 winners Westmeath the unfortunate fourth seeds.
Joyce labelled the scenario "fantastic" but, like Kerry counterpart Jack O'Connor, expressed bafflement at the scheduling of the draw prior to the provincial finals.
"That's one thing, the GAA messed up on. The whole country can't understand why the draw was on. It's time enough for the draw to be on Sunday week. When we still have a week to prepare.
"People talking about Galway or Mayo losing the game today, I don't think any county wanted to lose to each other, which was great.
"It was probably proved the way the game was played in the second half, with a fantastic spirit. Tit for tat. Fair hitting. Very well refereed by David Gough.
"We'll celebrate tonight and maybe tomorrow as well and we'll get ready for Derry on Sunday week."
Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.
