Galway senior football manager Pádraic Joyce.
By Cian O'Connell
Pádraic Joyce acknowledges that a bond was forged between the Galway football team and supporters in 2022.
Momentum was generated, victories accumulated, and a first All-Ireland SFC Final appearance since 2001 secured.
That connection matters deeply according to Joyce. “Yeah, most definitely," he says.
A Connacht Championship triumph over Mayo provided an injection of confidence and belief. “I’ve never seen the support that we got," he adds. "It was kind of built from the Castlebar game. It built up, built up, all along.
“I know someone told me recently there was over 19,000 jerseys sold the week of the All-Ireland football final in Galway and even for us as management, going into Croke Park and seeing the maroon jersey and the support we got in semi-finals and finals was fantastic."
Speaking at the launch of Galway's new sponsorship deal with Supermac's, Joyce is delighted that crowds flocked to matches. “The roads were jammed with cars and I’m sure Pat (McDonagh) had a good time of it from the filing stations on each side of the road," he laughs.
“It was great. The support was fabulous, the way they got behind the team and the lads appreciate that. We appreciate that. As well because times are tough.
“I know people had a couple of years at home not doing much, but when they got a chance to come out, they came out, in fairness to them.”
Joyce and his management team reviewed the campaign following the loss to Kerry before speaking to the players. “I left them because they were gone to Spain and they did a week on the racecourse," he says. "They did two weeks.
Galway manager Pádraic Joyce applauds following a Shane Walsh point against Kerry in the 2022 All-Ireland SFC Final at Croke Park.
“I met them about a month later. I always do a review with the players after every year, whether it’s good or bad. You just got that sense of hurt off them, which was great. They were mad to get back.
“Look it, they are good lads. I just couldn’t highly enough of them. They are great lads. They are credit to their families and their clubs, what they do and the effort they put in for Galway. I think a lot of it goes unnoticed."
In 2020 and 2021 Covid restrictions disturbed sport significantly. “It was huge," Joyce says. "You can make all the excuses you like for Covid, but every county had Covid.
“We didn’t manage it as well as probably other counties, but look it’s great to have them in there full time.
“At least you go in on a Saturday you can do a day session with them, where you go through tactics and have a nice relaxed atmosphere, go through what you are doing, spend a day training. Before you couldn’t get fellas inside in a room. I think it’s great to get to know fellas.
“The more time you spend around them the better they get to know each other and you have to say of all the years I played football - even the squads I’d have - we had great bonds from lads, winning years.
“But I think this year with Galway I’ve never seen a group of lads as tight. And a really good bond in the group. I think it helped that an awful lot as well.
“We have to be careful again this year going back that we bring in the right personnel to fit into that squad, that is not going to disrupt it.”
The panel for Friday evening's Connacht FBD League opener against Leitrim features several emerging players eager to make an impact in maroon and white.
