Brian Silke: 'The panel is definitely getting stronger'
Galway manager Kevin Walsh and selector Brian Silke.
**By Cian O’Connell **
At this exact stage a year ago Eoghan Kerin, Declan Kyne, David Wynne, and Eamonn Brannigan were making themselves valuable members of the Galway senior football panel.
Twelve months later due to the current unavailability of the Corofin contingent Galway opted to include Ruairi Lavelle, David Walsh, Luke Burke, Michael Day, and Barry McHugh from the start against Cork at Pearse Stadium last Sunday.
Under 21s Cillian McDaid and Michael Daly also got their first taste of Allianz Football League action meaning Kevin Walsh and selectors Sean Conlon and Brian Silke have cast the net wide in search of new talent.
“In fairness with the likes of the Corofin lads being away, it gives other guys opportunities,” Silke admitted to GAA.ie. “If they take their opportunities they will be in the position. It has helped us build the squad in a funny sort of a way, but there is still learning to be done. With new players you have a lot of things to learn, you have to integrate them which brings its own challenges. The panel is definitely getting stronger.
“In 2016 the whole full back line was relatively new. Declan had played the year before a bit, but Declan Kyne, David Wynne, and Eoghan Kerin came in during the FBD. This year Eoin Kerin and Cathal Sweeney had been out injured so we had Luke Burke and David Walsh coming through.
“We had seven debutants in total against Cork, we started with five and Cillian McDaid and Michael Daly came on. That is a big number on any day.”
The Galway management were relatively satisfied with how the newcomers fared. “Everyone held their own to a large degree,” Silke reflected.
Cathal Sweeney kicked a fine equaliser for Galway against Cork.
“I suppose sometimes within the county there isn't really recognition for that. We would be looking for positive feedback in relation to a lot of things that are happening, that there has been some change around.
“People are looking to play for Galway now, they mightn't necessarily have wanted to in the past. There have been definite improvements and we would be cognisant that we would like some to realise that we had seven new guys playing for Galway.
“We were playing Cork, while they mightn't have been thrilled with the display we got a result against Cork. The last 14 matches with Cork prior to Sunday with Cork, Galway won one, drew two and lost the others.
“That is going back to 1982 so Galway's results against Cork haven't been great. Obviously the performance could have been better, but we had seven debutants and to get a result against Cork, we will take it.”
Next up for Galway in a highly competitive Division Two is a trip to Enniskillen on Sunday for a clash with Fermanagh, who enjoyed a fine win over Down. “To get out of the likes of Division you have to be that bit better than the rest, but that bit better might be very minor,” Silke says.
“Everyone fancies their chances, it is a very competitive Division, it isn't easy to get out of. We are playing Fermanagh at the weekend. Fermanagh had a great win over Down, they were flying.
“Cork would be expected to get back to Division One with the depth of numbers and players they have so it is a very, very difficult Division. A lot of education still has to go on, we still have to integrate the new players.” That is one of Galway’s missions this Spring.
