Galway manager Pádraic Joyce watching Sunday's Allianz Football League Division One encounter against Tyrone at Tuam Stadium.
By Cian O'Connell
Encouraged by a smart Allianz Football League start, Galway manager Pádraic Joyce is adamant the maroon and white team are moving quickly in the right direction.
Three victories from four Division One matches have been registered with Joyce delighted by the stylish manner in which Galway defeated Tyrone at Tuam Stadium on Sunday.
The Killererin clubman, who signalled his intention to compete for national silverware when assuming the role, believes Galway can cope with the expectation which is now attached.
"Of course, I told the panel at the start of the year where we’re going and there was the possibility that people may have thought that I was being smart or cocky or big headed, whichever way you want to put it but that’s the ambition that is in this group and that’s what we want," Joyce stated following the Tyrone triumph.
"We’re on the right path and we need to stay on this path and keep going."
Eager to press the Tyrone kickout, Joyce felt Galway's approach worked well against the Red Hands.
"It did; that’s what we looked for and there’s no point in us having five or six behind the ball so we’ve been working on it Tuesday night to push up on the ball, we didn’t push up all the time, but we did at times and we had good times," Joyce reflected.
Galway captain Shane Walsh scored 1-8 against Tyrone at Tuam Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
"In fairness to Sean Kelly he was tremendous at the back, he got great cover from Sean Mulkerrin and Gary and the guys so I’m happy with the way it worked out.
"Nothing travels faster than the ball on the pitch, I tell the lads all the time and they moved the ball really well.
"If you can move it, you’ll take bodies out of the game when you’re passing it 30/40 yards."
Joyce also acknowledged the form and class of captain Shane Walsh, who continues to lead by example. "He is, he’s a super talent and I know I got a lot of criticism within Galway for giving him the captaincy," Joyce responded.
"I just felt that he’s one of the best footballers that I’ve seen to play the game and bags of talent in him, but in the leadership aspect I just thought to try to get a bit more out of him.
"He’s doing fine, let’s not get carried away with it, it’s the last week of February, he’s probably been the best player on show during the week, the best player so far across all teams maybe, but his challenge is to produce that day in, day out because he’s going to get double marked like he did.
"He’s a serious talent when he can kick frees with both feet over the bar and he’s going the right way."
