Galway's Seán Kelly pictured at the launch of the Connacht SFC. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile
By Cian O'Connell
In the Allianz Football League, Seán Kelly featured in Galway's seven Division One matches.
For the first time in a few years, Kelly had an uninterrupted stint in the maroon and white jersey. In previous campaigns Kelly featured for Padraic Joyce's outfit, Maigh Cuilinn, and University of Galway.
It was a schedule filled with matches. Unfortunately, for the Galway captain injuries frequently offered disturbances. "I know, I went through a rough two years where it was just injury after injury, hamstring to ankle, just wanted to get back playing," Kelly says on the eve of the Connacht SFC.
"Decent League campaign just gone, few ups and downs, but just getting injury-free is massive and hopefully can stay like that for the rest of the year, touch wood.
"When you're carrying niggles, you think you are fine, but it is probably something in the back of your head or there might be something still at you. But as I said, feeling fresh now, seven games in the bank, so that helps."
There was joy in the early months of the campaign for Kelly, who simply relished being available. "Mentally, you are in a much better place injury-free and training every day," he says.
"Going out to Loughgeorge and having an injury, it is probably the worst thing about it. It is tough for lads that do have that. Unfortunately, it is part and parcel of the game. You can push yourself and play better being injury-free, so obviously that leads to better enjoyment of the game."
Seán Kelly, Galway, and Paul Geaney, Kerry, in Allianz Football League action. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Kelly is encouraged about the depth in the Galway panel. During the 2024 Allianz League, Galway were missing a significant number of players, so emerging footballers were given opportunities. "Last year, we started building that strong panel," Kelly says.
"A lot of injuries so a lot of lads got minutes. We saw that again this year too, a lot of lads playing well at times, and obviously some lads playing poor at times, that happens.
"You need that panel to step in and make the change. That panel strength is massive. Injury-free is another thing. Staying injury-free for the year is easier said than done. Big emphasis on that too."
Dave Morris and Mickey Graham are valuable additions to the Galway backroom team also. "The two lads came in, they've a lot of experience," Kelly remarks.
"Dave has massive experience with the club knowledge around Galway, he has been so successful with Corofin too. So just encouraging all those skills, one-on-ones, those challenges in games, there has been massive emphasis on that.
"The way the game has gone, there will be so much more of that too. They've been huge additions and hopefully they can keep pushing us on come championship."
That adventure commences against New York at Gaelic Park on Sunday.
