Galway's development impressing O'Donnell
Former Galway footballer Gary O’Donnell, pictured today for AIB ahead of GAA All-Ireland Senior Football Championship semi-final between Donegal and Galway this Sunday, July 14th. AIB have also today announced the return of the Volunteer VIP competition which gives GAA volunteers the opportunity to win a money can’t buy behind the scenes tour of Croke Park, on the morning of the GAA All-Ireland Senior Football final as well as tickets to the match. Details on how to enter the Volunteer VIP competition will be announced on Monday, July 15th. For exclusive content and behind the scenes action from the GAA All-Ireland Senior Football Championships follow @AIB_GAA on X and Instagram and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AIBGAA. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
By Cian O'Connell
"Very positive to date, you'd have to say," former Galway footballer Gary O'Donnell responds when asked about how 2024 has unfolded for Padraic Joyce's team.
Injuries restricted Galway in the Allianz Football League, but Division One status was retained. "The league campaign was a struggle and I think that's been well highlighted," he adds.
"But if you look back now, it's been a big positive in the sense that a lot of fringe players and young players have been blooded. They managed to maintain Division One status, and since then, they've kicked on.
"They had that scare against Sligo which probably galvanised the team. Since, they've managed games quite well even with injuries, trailing teams going into injury time and managing to pick up big results.
"They're undefeated to now which is something they'll take huge confidence in going into Saturday as well."
Galway's resources were tested in the quarter-final against Dublin too with several substitutes making significant contributions. "Their bench the last day was superb," O'Donnell says.
Paul Brennan, Donegal, and Gary O'Donnell, Galway , in Allianz Football League action in 2020. Photo by Oliver McVeigh/Sportsfile
"I remember driving home thinking that the five subs they had all contributed to the game. Huge impact on the game from Céin Darcy, Cian Hernon at the back, Johnny Heaney kicked a point, Liam Ó Conghaile worked really hard up front so their bench was hugely influential.
"It'll be the same on Sunday, they'll need the four or five subs coming in to make the impact and get them over the line."
Sunday's intriguing clash against Donegal will be another severe test for Galway according to O'Donnell. "From a neutral point of view, I'd say a lot of people will say that it's a 50-50 game," O'Donnell remarks.
"I gave Galway a great chance going into the Dublin game. I was fairly confident that it would go down the home straight, which it did. It'll be the same thing on Sunday. We've alluded to subs and they'll have a huge part to play in it. I think there's a slightly conflicting style of play of both teams.
"Galway are very structured in defence and attack. Donegal are organised at the back, but hit you on the counter. They've a lot of legs, a lot of runners, a lot of pace.
"I expect both teams to put on a good show. I think it will be somewhat high-scoring based on what you've seen off previous games, and a bit of an arm wrestle up to the last quarter where one team will probably push on ahead of the other, and see it home. Hopefully, that'll be Galway."
