Inside Track: Galway get their man and Fitzmaurice is a perfect fit

The expediency shown by the county's GAA officials – notably, Chairman Paul Bellew – in appointing a new football supremo was impressive by any standards, but more than that to have attracted a coach/manager of Eamonn Fitzmaurice's standing was the icing on the cake. Immediately, there is a renewed buzz about Galway football.

But we must go back to go forward. There is a narrative doing the rounds that Joyce walked away after being pushed by the local GAA hierarchy to alter his backroom team. It's simply not true. Rightly or wrongly, Galway has a reputation for standing behind their manager and it was Joyce's own decision to call time on his tenure.

He would have resigned bitterly disappointed not to have delivered a coveted All-Ireland title during his seven years in charge. Joyce, however, came mightlily close and only for that harsh free awarded against John Daly in the 2022 decider and losing Rob Finnerty to injury in the final two years later, it's possible the Tribesmen could have twice headed back west with Sam Maguire.

On a broader level, Joyce was desperately unlucky on the injury front and trying to get Damien Comer and Shane Walsh on the field at the same time proved increasingly problematic. Joyce knew changes were required to Galway’s management staff, but his own energy levels had been compromised by seven years at the helm, the first two of which came at a time when Covid was wreaking havoc.

Virtually starting all over again understandably held little appeal and given the widespread despair over losing winning hands against both Meath and Dublin in the past two seasons, Joyce would have been aware of the mood for change around the county. The bottom line is that he has left Galway football in a far better place than when he was appointed.

After Joyce's slightly surprising exit, all sorts of names were being bandied about, including those of Mayo duo, Stephen Rochford and James Horan; current Westmeath boss Mark McHugh; and Dublin's Jim Gavin; while Corofin's Kevin O'Brien was also being mentioned as a possible successor. But until the news broke, Eamonn Fitzmaurice's name hadn't featured.

There were a number of expressions of interest but the former Kerry All-Ireland winner – both as a player and selector – wasn't one of them. It was Bellew who first hopped the ball to the RTÉ and Irish Examiner pundit that there was a team which was the perfect fit for him. Fitzmaurice was also a leading figure of the Football Review Committee which has helped to transformed the sport.

When he didn't deliver an emphatic no to Galway's initial approach, the wheels were set in motion to really sell coming west to Fitzmaurice. A couple of meetings took place in Limerick and in less than a month since Joyce resigned, he was appointed team manager on a three-year term. There is little doubt, however, that regardless of the lobbying skills of Bellew and company, Fitzmaurice would not have come on board unless he truly believed there was an All-Ireland in this Galway team.

But it's unlikely he will favour the type of risk-averse adventurous football which carried Mayo to a glorious All-Ireland title last July. Fitzmaurice comes across as a pragmatic individual but one still imagines he will still be anxious to inject more pace into Galway's attacking play. Yet, there's a nagging hunch that if he doesn't deliver an All-Ireland title in his first year in charge, he may not do so at all given the age profile of the team and all the hardship some of them have already experienced in the maroon jersey.

Of course, if Fitzmaurice discovers a couple of potential Kobe McDonalds along the way, together with Comer, Walsh and Sean Kelly staying off the treatment table, Galway will at least be a match for the best around in 2027. One way or another, Fitzmaurice's appointment is a timely boost for the Tribesmen.

Semi-Finals

When a team is priced at 1/16 to win a county semi-final, you'd wonder should their opponents even bother to turn up. Well, Annaghdown are probably regretting they travelled into Pearse Stadium on Sunday after suffering a 4-26 to 0-8 mauling by champions Moycullen. Losing by a scarcely believable 30 points leaves Annaghdown with no consolations to cling to on a day Dessie Conneely (2-16) shot the lights out.

Moycullen have been very impressive in reaching a sixth county final in seven years and with Niall Walsh and Peter Cooke also finding the net, the title-holders could be forgiven for already thinking beyond the county and provincial borders. On this form, Moycullen look prime contenders to deliver an elusive All-Ireland title.

The second semi-final, in contrast, virtually went down to the wire. Salthill-Knocknacarra have a poor record against Corofin and even though they were the better team, Finian Hanley's squad made heavy weather of carrying the day by two points. County players Rob Finnerty, John Maher and Matthew Thompson were to the fore, but they struggled to shake off an opposition who struck for timely goals from Shane Canavan and Jason Leonard. One thing for sure, Salthill must improve for what will be a repeat of last year's decider at the same venue on Sunday week.