By Cian O'Connell

Barry McHugh is delighted that Galway will be boosted by the return of Liam Silke and Cillian McDaid in 2019.

McHugh's Mountbellew-Moylough club colleague Michael Daly is also full fit again and with his brother John set to make an impact Galway's options are increasing.

On Sunday Galway staged a dramatic late rally to secure a Connacht FBD League victory against Mayo as Michael Daly's splendid pass enabled McHugh to force extra-time with an opportunistic goal.

It was another impressive showing from McHugh, who finished the contest with a 1-6 haul admitting that Galway took plenty of satisfaction from the triumph. "We did," McHugh acknowledged. "It is always nice to win, but it took us a while to get into it. 

"I suppose we were against the wind in the first half, but we were still sloppy out there and we have a lot to work on."

Silke and McDaid's availability for the coming year is also noteworthy according to McHugh. "It certainly drives on the players who have a place on the team because you know that you are under more pressure when there are players of that quality there," he added. "It leads to a lot more competition too so it is great to have that."