Galway captain Gary O Donnell.
By Cian O’Connell
Galway captain Gary O’Donnell remained a firm believer in the maroon and white cause. There were always possibilities even when Galway didn’t deliver O’Donnell felt that progress could be made.
That is why the 2016 Connacht Senior Football Championship triumph mattered so deeply O’Donnell. It wasn’t simply because he lifted the JJ Nestor Cup, O’Donnell’s loyalty had been rewarded with a couple of prized scalps in the west.
When O’Donnell entered the Galway panel, the maroon and white were respected as a force in the west and that type of aura is beginning to return. Galway football is starting to stir. “Yeah, it is going in the right direction,” O’Donnell admits before adding a correct note of caution too.
“A lot of our lads have their heads screwed on and they know that it can change very quickly with one performance or one match, the tide can turn very quickly, be it confidence or the direction we are going.
“We know we are going in the right direction, we are working well behind the scenes."
How crucial is it for Galway to mount a successful Connacht title defence? “It is important, but that goes game by game,” O’Donnell replies.
“Since the management have come in that is all they have focused on. It sounds like a cliche, but we really are focusing on preparing for every game, how we perform, the opposition we are going to be playing.”
Having claimed the Connacht crown, Galway enjoyed an encouraging spring by winning Division Two of the Allianz Football League. Belief is increasing according to O’Donnell. “It helps certainly, I know last year it was highlighted with the players that weren't in the panel, that was for different personal reasons and so on,” O’Donnell says.
Galway manager Kevin Walsh and Michael Meehan following the Allianz Football League Division Two Final win over Kildare at Croke Park.
“Definitely a bit of success and momentum, positivity certainly attracts more players. Galway has traditionally been a successful county over the years. Maybe that wasn't the case in recent times.
"The fact that we probably have a very competitive panel at the moment, competition for places is fierce, it bodes well for what is coming through.”
O’Donnell is adamant that Galway are suddenly blessed with plenty of options in all areas on the field.
“100 per cent, even just talking about players,” O’Donnell remarks. Since I've been involved in the panel and others in the panel they've said they've never been in a panel where the competition for places is so fierce.
“The calibre of players that you could name off, particularly in the forwards, you could pick two sets of forwards they'd match each other, not to mention midfield and in the backs as well. It is brilliant, if lads are injured and are out action for a certain amount of time they know they are going to lose their place. It is probably a headache for management, but it is a nice one to have.”
Michael Meehan’s return to the fold was a boost during the League. “I would be good friends with Mikey, the thing is he never wanted to be involved with a panel if he couldn't contribute to it,” O’Donnell comments.
“Obviously his body wouldn't allow him to do that for the last few years, it would be all about Galway for Mikey, it wouldn't be about himself. He wants to contribute as much as he can.
“This year he was probably able to chip in, at the moment he hasn't played any game time so it remains to be seen what contribution he can make this summer, but the contribution to the players around him and his leadership and his status in the dressing room is unquestioned. It is great to have him around.”
