Galway’s position at the top of Division 1 puts them in prime contention for a league final spot, while Tyrone, currently seventh, face a fight to avoid relegation with crucial fixtures against Donegal and Dublin ahead.

Weekend Wrap up
Galway Senior football manager, Pádraic Joyce, spoke to the media and Galway GAA TV after this afternoon’s draw with Tyrone in Round 5 of the Allianz Football League in Tuam Stadium pic.twitter.com/J7ZkdLgHxi

— Galway GAA Official (@Galway_GAA) March 2, 2025

“We know that teams who were top of the league the last two seasons didn’t go so well [in the championship], so we’ll keep an eye on that,” Joyce noted.

“We haven’t won a league in Galway since 1981. My uncle was on the last team that won it, and he keeps telling me about it.

“If we’re there, we’re there. We don’t go out to lose any game, and we’ve two huge games now – in two weeks’ time we’ve Dublin away and then Kerry at home, so they’re going to be great learning curves for us.”

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Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney remains unimpressed by how the new rules, particularly those concerning goalkeeping time limits, are being enforced.

Armagh TV caught up with Armagh Manager Kieran McGeeney after victory over @DubGAAOfficial this evening. pic.twitter.com/8aPTo5wwrv

— Armagh_GAA (@Armagh_GAA) March 1, 2025

Last week, McGeeney stated that the FRC had issued a ‘guideline’ rather than a strict rule on the 20-second kick-out limit. However, that ambiguity came under scrutiny during Armagh’s weekend win over Dublin, as both goalkeepers were penalised for delays.

“I do think some of the stuff is a joke,” McGeeney said. “Like 20 seconds ‘maybe’ – can somebody tell me how that is a rule? There wasn’t one of those kick-outs that he blew tonight that was over 15 seconds.”

McGeeney also criticised a ruling on passing within the goalkeeper’s square.

“I just think that people are getting carried away with themselves, and now we’re being told that when you pass the ball back into the square that it is a ‘pass’, as in one pass.

“The next thing is, you will only be allowed to do it on a Sunday when the sun is shining from the east.

“What is it that they want us to do, just not let goalkeepers touch the ball?”

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Pádraic Joyce has urged the Football Review Committee (FRC) to make its final decisions on rule changes and stick to them, as the group prepares to meet this evening to finalise any amendments ahead of the upcoming championship.

Weekend Wrap up
Galway Senior football manager, Pádraic Joyce, spoke to the media and Galway GAA TV after this afternoon’s draw with Tyrone in Round 5 of the Allianz Football League in Tuam Stadium pic.twitter.com/J7ZkdLgHxi

— Galway GAA Official (@Galway_GAA) March 2, 2025

“That has to be it. We can’t be changing them [after that],” the Galway boss insisted after his side salvaged a dramatic home draw against Tyrone, maintaining their position at the top of Division 1.

Joyce pointed to recent tweaks—such as penalising goalkeepers for delaying kick-outs beyond 20 seconds—being poorly communicated.

“They changed the goalkeeping one and we got an email the week after it was changed, which is ridiculous. So look, again, a small breakdown in communication there,” he remarked.

Despite these frustrations, Joyce praised the FRC’s overall efforts, noting that the rule changes have brought more excitement and fluidity to the game.

“Whatever they decide to do, we’ll coach it . . . but it needs to be whatever is decided. They have two weeks now to look at it and get the information out,” he added.

“But all in all, you have to praise the FRC because people were probably doubting at the start, will this work, will it not work? But it seems to have worked a good bit and there’s a bit more excitement in the game, a bit more jeopardy – and a bit more football being played as well, which is no harm.”

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Match Preview

The eagerly anticipated Group 1 clash in the GAA Gaelic football championship features Westmeath taking on Galway. Both teams have had contrasting fortunes in their initial outings, setting the stage for a fascinating encounter. Galway will secure a place in the quarter-finals if they win.

Live Scores for Westmeath v Galway

Previous Encounters

Westmeath and Galway have met only twice previously in the championship. Westmeath claimed a narrow victory in an All-Ireland qualifier tie back in 2006, winning 1-8 to 0-10 in Pearse Stadium. However, Galway exacted revenge last year, securing a comfortable 0-20 to 0-12 win in Mullingar during the All-Ireland round robin series.

Championship Journey So Far

Galway

• Galway 5-21 London 0-9 (Connacht quarter-final)
• Galway 1-13 Sligo 0-14 (Connacht semi-final)
• Galway 0-16 Mayo 0-15 (Connacht final)
• Galway 2-14 Derry 0-15 (All-Ireland round robin)

Galway have showcased their offensive prowess and defensive solidity, highlighted by their remarkable run of not conceding a single goal in their four championship games to date.

Top Scorers for Galway

• R Finnerty: 1-21 (0-8 frees, 0-1 mark)
• C Darcy: 2-4
• P Conroy: 1-6
• J Heaney: 0-7
• T Culhane: 2-0

Westmeath

• Wicklow 2-9 Westmeath 1-11 (Leinster first round)
• Armagh 0-16 Westmeath 0-11 (All-Ireland round robin)

Westmeath’s journey has been more challenging, with a narrow defeat to Wicklow in the Leinster first round and a five-point loss to Armagh in their initial All-Ireland round robin match.

Top Scorers for Westmeath

• L Loughlin: 0-6 (0-3 frees)
• J Heslin: 0-5 (0-2 frees)
• J Lynam: 1-0
• R Forde: 0-3 (0-1 free)
• R O’Toole: 0-3

Key Insights

• Galway’s stellar defense has not conceded any goals in their four championship games so far.
• Rival managers, Pádraic Joyce (Galway) and Dessie Dolan (Westmeath), were both players in the first championship clash between these teams in 2006, with Dolan captaining Westmeath to a one-point win.
• Westmeath is still seeking their first victory in the ‘round robin’ series introduced last year, having lost to Galway, Armagh, and drawing with Tyrone previously, and losing again to Armagh this year.

Team News

Westmeath: Jason Daly; Jamie Gonoud, Kevin Maguire, James Dolan; Sam McCartan, Ronan Wallace, David Lynch; Ray Connellan, Andy McCormack; Jonathan Lynam, Ronan O’Toole, Conor Dillon; Luke Loughlin, John Heslin, Robbie Forde.

Subs: Jack Connaughton, Shane Allen, Charlie Drumm, Eoin Mulvihill, Matthew Whittaker, Daniel Scahill, Senan Baker, Lorcan Dolan, Stephen Smith, Kieran Martin, Conor McCormack.

Galway: Connor Gleeson; Johnny McGrath, Seán Fitzgerald, Jack Glynn; Dylan McHugh, John Daly, Liam Silke; Paul Conroy, John Maher; Johnny Heaney, Matthew Tierney, Céin D’Arcy; Liam Ó Conghaile, Shane Walsh, Cillian McDaid.

Subs: Conor Flaherty, Seán Ó Maoilchiaráin, Eoghan Kelly, Daniel O’Flaherty, Kieran Molloy, Cian Hernon, Patrick Egan, Cathal Sweeney, Cillian Ó Curroain, Tomo Culhane, Niall Daly.

Betting

Galway 1/8 Westmeath 6/1

Handicap – Galway -6 10/11

Conclusion

As Westmeath seek to register their first round robin win and Galway aim to continue their winning streak with both teams eager to secure vital points in Group 1. Expect Westmeath to get within 6pts.

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O’Neill joins Padraic Joyce’s Galway backroom after leaving the Cork senior football setup following the end of the 2021 season.

The upcoming season will be Joyce’s third in charge and the team will aim to go one further than the final of the Connacht Senior Football Championship.

They will also hope to return to Division One of the National Football League at the first time of asking.

The Kildare native left the Cork setup after their Munster Senior Football Championship final collapse led to the departure of manager Ronan McCarthy.

He had previously been in charge of his home county’s senior footballers from 2015 until 2019.

It was a period that saw the Lilywhites reach the Leinster Senior Football Championship final in 2017 and knock All-Ireland finalists Mayo out of the Championship the next year in the ‘Newbridge or Nowhere’ game.

O’Neill made a name for himself as a trainer on Liam Sheedy’s backroom in the manager’s first stint with the Tipperary hurlers.

He was involved with the Kerry senior footballers as part of Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s backroom and has also worked with the Limerick and Mayo footballers.

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Sunday 30th May 2021. St. Jarlath’s Park, Tuam

Referee: Brian Cawley (Kildare)

Galway 1-15 Dublin 2-16

Pre-match:

Given the truncated nature of this season’s league a win for either side would seal a place in the semi-finals. For Dublin a draw would suffice after last weeks shoutout against Kerry. While a defeat would send the loser into a relegation play-off against Armagh or Monaghan.

Prior to the game Galway were dealt a blow when It was revealed that Daimen Comer is set for another spell on the sidelines after picking up a hand injury. Finian Ó Laoi started in the no.26 shirt and Tom Flynn was promoted to the bench. Kieran Molloy started instead of Eammon Brannigan.

Dublin named just a single change in the team announced earlier in the week. Jonny Copper coming into the side for John Small. However, there were more alterations before the ball was thrown in. Michael Sheil started between the posts, while further out the field Pedar O’Coffey Byrne started as did Colm Basquel. 

First-Half

Galway elected to play against a strong wind in the opening half. Peter Cooke got Galway off to a fine start and a Paul Conway effort extended their lead to two. Points from Cormac Costello and a Brain Fenton mark levelled things up. Shortly after Galway spurned a great goal opportunity. Matthew Tieney’s initial effort was blocked and Sean Kelly’s tame effort was stopped on line by Eoin Murchan. Subsequently Niall Scully won a turn-over in midfield and a few phases later Colm Basqual level the game at two apiece.

Robert Finnerty and Ciaran Kilkenny exchanged scores, before a Shane Walsh 45’ gave Galway a single point lead at the first water break.

Water break: Galway 0-04 Dublin 0-03

Cormac Costello levelled things up again on the restart. Colm Basquel’s second of the day edged Dublin ahead for the first time. Galway, however, responded quickly, to restore parity with a Shane Walsh free. It just crept over the bar, off the hands of Dublin keeper Michael Sheil.

A super point from the left hand side from Kilkenny nudged the Dubs back in front once more. Then Jonny Cooper dragged a shot across the face of goal for an uncharacteristic wide. Con O’Callaghan extended Dublin’s lead, as the black clouds descended in Tuam. However, a few light drops of rain never developed into the shower that threatened. 

The same could be said of the game, as when Dublin eased into a two point lead, they failed to kick-on. A Shane Walsh 45′ after Robert Finnerty’s initial effort was blocked cut the gap to a single score. A  fine turnover from Jack Glynn led to a sparkling break from Shane Walsh. The Kilkerrin/Clonberne man took the ball from deep and ran 40 yards, to kick a fine score to level matters. Cormac Costello edged Dublin ahead again after a disputed point. The Tuam venue lacked the technology to verify Bernard Powers vocal claims that the ball had sailed wide. No hawk eye here Sham! 

Referee Brendan Cawley of Kildare brandished the first yellow of the day to Peadar O’Coffey Byrne for a frontal foul on Peter Cooke. Shane Walsh’s free levelled it up again at the break. 

Half-time: Galway 0-08 Dublin 0-08

Dublin, as they have done so many times before, took over in the third quarter. From the restart the held the ball around the edge of the 45’ yard line for almost three minutes. They poked and probed for an opening, before Cormac Costello kicked them back in front. That slender lead soon grew to four points. As from the resulting kick-out Bernard Power failed to find a Galway shirt. The ball was worked back in to Niall Scully. His initial effort was stopped by Power, however, Con O’Callaghan was on hand to tap home.

Galway tried to cut the arrears. Cormac Costello and Shane Walsh traded scores twice. Costello fisted over one of those, while both of Walsh’s came from placed balls. Con O’Callaghan landed another score prior to the water break.

Second water break: Galway 0-11 Dublin 1-13

On resumption of play Dylan McHugh and Brian Fenton exchanged scores. Galway found an avenue back into the game with a lightning quick counter-attack goal. A Ciarán Kilkenny fisted effort came back off the upright at the Tierboy end of the ground. Kieran Molloy reacted quickest and carried the ball out to the left sideline, a swift kick pass found Paul Conroy. Who, in turn, boomed the ball into the edge of the square at the town end. Matthew Tierney got in behind Jonny Cooper and flicked the ball past Sheil in the Dublin goal.

A Cormac Costello free at the other end made the margin three points again. A ninth point from Walsh narrowed that lead. Then Ciarán Kilkenny fisted over again to restore Dublin’s margin again with ten to go. 

Kieran Molloy was booked for a drag back on the almost un-markable Kilkenny. Cormac Costello uncharacteristically blazed the free wide. Peter Cooke kicked a fine point to give Galway hope with five to go. It was Cooke’s last act, as Tom Flynn was introduced off the bench before the kickout. 

Both managers introduced plenty of fresh legs for the last five minutes. Possession was squandered by both teams before late in injury time one of the Dublin subs, Aaron Byrne rifled a bullet of a shot from the lefthand side into the top right-hand corner of the net to add a gloss to the scoreline from a Dublin perspective. A Shane Walsh free left the final margin at four points. Dublin now advance to a semi-final against Donegal, while Galway must travel to Inniskean to face Monaghan in a relegation decider.

Full-time: Galway 1-15 Dublin 2-16

Teams

Galway: 1.Bernard Power, 2.Sean Kelly, 3.Seán Mulkerrin, 4.Jack Glynn, 5.Liam Silke, 6 Dylan McHugh (0-1), 20.Kieran Molloy, 8.Peter Cooke (0-2), 9.Paul Conroy (0-1), 10.Paul Kelly, 26. Finian Ó Laoi, 12.Eamonn Brannigan, 13.Matthew Tierney (1-0), 14.Shane Walsh (0-10: 4f,4 45′), 15.Robert Finnerty (0-1).

Subs: 12.Eammon Brannigan (for Paul Kelly 45′), 16.Connor Gleeson, 17.Johnny Duane (Molloy 64′), 18. Gary O’Donnell, 19. Ciaran Potter (Glynn inj. 45′) , 21.Mattius Barrett (O’Laoi 52′), 22.Ronan Steede, 23.Liam Costello, 24.Dessie Connelly, 25.Tomo Culhane (Finnerty 60′), 26.Tomas Flynn (Cooke 64′).

Dublin: 16.Michael Shiel, 2.Michael Fitzsimons, 3.David Byrne, 22.Eric Lowndes, 4.Séan MacMahon, 5.Eoin Murchan, 6. Jonny Cooper, 7.Robert McDaid, 8.Brian Fenton(0-2,1m), 9.James McCarthy, 11.Con O’Callaghan (1-3), 12.Niall Scully, 17.Colm Basquel (0-2), 14.Ciarán Kilkenny, 15.Cormac Costello (0-6,1f).

Subs: 1.Evan Comerford, 7.Robert McDaid (McMahon,10.Tom Lahiff (Cooper 70′) , 18.Ryan Basquel, 19.Seán Bulger (O Cofaigh Byrne 50′), 20.Aaron Byrne (1-0), 21.Brian Howard, 23.Philip McMahon, 24.Dara Mullin (Scully 65′), 25.Cian Murphy, 26.Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne.

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Galway 1-14 Monaghan 0-16

Pearse Stadium, Salthill

January 26th 2020 @2:30pm,
Referee: Maurice Deegan (Laois)

The Padráic Joyce era got off to a winning start in front of over 7,600 at a crisp Pearse Stadium this afternoon. They did it the hard way, holding on late into stoppage time to a single point lead.

Joyce has yet to show his full hand as Galway are still short some of their club contingent. Corofin captured their third All-Ireland Club crown on the trot last weekend. While Oughterard added the Intermediate All-Ireland for the county with a win over Monaghan’s Maghercloone in the curtain-raiser to Dublin v Kerry at headquarters yesterday evening.

Pre-season has shown promise for Galway new approach as the FBD title was secured with a win over Roscommon. But that would count for little, as Monaghan in top-flight action would be a more daunting proposition. Séamus ‘Banty’ McEnaney was back at the helm for the Farney men as they came in search of another win at Pearse Stadium. Two years ago Monaghan cruised to an easy win in a Super 8 game at the Salthill venue.

The home side started well with two early points from a Shane Walsh free and a cleverly dummied point from the inventive Finian Ó Laoí. The later coming into the starting side as a late change for Tomás Flynn.

Monaghan responded in-kind with two points from Conor McManus. McManus was also a late change to the Monaghan line-up. Not originally listed to start the veteran forward came into the side in a late reshuffle for full-back Drew Wylie. Needless to say, McManus did his work at the other end of the field as Ryan Wylie, Dessie Ward and Dermot Malone all dropped back a line.

Crucial Goal

A further two-point exchange between the sides saw the score tied at 0-4 apiece before Robert Finnerty struck for the games only goal. Shane Walsh showed great vision to pick out Michael Boyle, who in turn fed the goal scorer. Finnerty, the son of former Mayo stalwart Anthony, showed great composure to round Rory Beggan in the Farey goal before slotting the ball into the empty net.

Monaghan reduced the gap to a single point with scores from Kieran Hughes and Conor McCarthy, but the home side pushed on with a trio of unanswered points from Adrian Varley and Shane Walsh (0-2).

The drama continued unabated during this spell as there were goal chances at either end. Firstly a stray fisted back pass from Ryan McAnespie caught Beggan flat-footed and the keeper did well to prevent it from ending up in the net. Soon after at the other end, Monaghan had a glorious chance to square things up when Dessie Ward was fouled. However, Conor Gleeson in the Galway goal sprung to his right to parry away Connor McManus’s spot-kick. Gleeson, a former Galway United goalkeeper, is quickly gaining a reputation as a fine shot-stopper. He also saved two spot-kicks in Galway’s recent FBD final shoot-out win over Roscommon.

Monaghan Kepper’ Rory Beggan drove over a 45’ and Tuam Stars wing-back Gary O’Donnell shot over at the other end to a goal separating the sides tied at the interval. Galway 1-08 v Monaghan 0-8.

Second-half

Galway outscored Monaghan 3 points to 1 after the restart to push the gap out to five points. Firstly Finnerty blazed over the bar when he could have had a second goal, before McManus responded for the Farney men. Paul Conroy and Walsh then added two more Galway scores.

At this stage it looked like the home side would pull away for a comfortable win. However, Padraic Joyce’s side then showed the failings of old. They took their foot off the gas and went the next twenty minutes without a score. Monaghan made hay during this spell. The tactic of Rory Beggan carrying the ball upfield unmolested reaped dividends. The Monaghan keeper’s forays up past his own 45’ created space for others. Five unanswered points from Kieran Hughes, McManus, McCarron and substitutes Chris McGuinness & Aaron Mulligan level up the game at 1-11 v 0-14 as the game entered the last ten minutes of regulation time.

A Shane Walsh free, after he had been cynically taken down, edged Galway back in front. Conor McManus then tied the game up again. A move that started with a goal-line clearance from Seán Mullkerrin led to a fisted point for Damien Comer. Matthias Barrett then added another point from the kick-out. Conor McManus cut the gap to the minimum with a sublime free-kick from the lefthand sideline.

Galway hung-on during five additional minutes at the end as the Farney men pressed for a draw. They survived a hop-ball inside their 22’ and an even later scare when they won a free out at the death.

Galway

Connor Gleeson (Dunmore)
Johny Duane (St.James)
Seán Mulkerrin (Oileáin Árann)
Johnny Heaney (Killanin)
Gary O’Donnell (Tuam Stars) 0-1
John Daly (Mountbellew/Moylough)
Cillian McDaid (Monevia/Abbey)
Finián Ó Laoí (An Spidéal) 0-1
Céin D’Arcy (Cathair Loisgreain). 0-1
Paul Conroy (St.James) 0-1
Michael Boyle (Killerrin)
Michael Daly (Mountbellew/Moylough)
Adrian Varley (Cortoon Shamrocks) 0-1
Shane Walsh (Kilkerrin/Clonberne) 0-6 5f
Robert Finnerty (Salthill/Knocknacarra) 1-01

Subs:
Damien Comer (Annaghdown) 0-1
Eammon Brannigan (St. Michael’s)
Matthais Barrett (Leitir Mór)
Liam Costello (Milltown)
Sean Kelly (Moycullen) 0-1

Monaghan

Rory Beggan (An Bhoth) 0-1 45’
Kieran Duffy (Leachtain) 0-1
Conor Boyle (Cluain Tiobraid)
Karl O’Connell (Tigh Thalainn)
Ryan Mc Anespie (Scairbh na gCaorach) 0-1
Ryan Wylie (Béal Átha Beithe)
Darren Hughes (An Bhoth)
Niall Kearns (Seán Mac Diramada)
Kieran Hughes (An Bhoth) 0-2
Michael Bannigan (Achadh na Muileann)
Dessie Ward (Béal Átha Beithe)
Dermot Malone (Fág An Bealach)
Conor McCarthy (An Bhoth) 0-1
Jack McCarron (Curraichín) 0-2 1f

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