While he would have preferred otherwise and wasn’t willing to say much, the late brawls and red cards were the imminent questions put to Galway football manager Kevin Walsh after his side maintained their perfect start to the National Football League.
A first half Barry McHugh goal had the Tribesmen on the front foot throughout but late dismissals for Paul Conroy and Mayo pair Cillian and Diarmuid O’Connor dominated the media headlines.
“You’ve seen more than I have,” said Walsh to the media after the game. “Being down on the sideline. I didn’t see anything. I haven’t a lot to say on it, other than we don’t like to see too much of that going on.
“I’m very conscious that every player who gets to wear the county jersey is going to fight for his jersey. Look, whatever happened when the handbags started, you saw a lot more than me.”
The former All-Ireland winner was more willing to engage on his team’s impressive start. Wins over Tyrone, Donegal and Mayo have Galway joint top with Dublin and almost certain to retain their Division One status.
It's all over at Pearse Stadium! The home side have come out on top in the #AllianzLeague Football Division 1 game, Galway defeated Mayo 1-13 to 0-11 #GAA pic.twitter.com/2x5LslrnY6
— Sportsfile (@sportsfile) February 11, 2018
“When you’ve six points on the board out of six it’s very, very pleasing,” added the Galway manager. “It takes a bit of pressure off for certain parts of the league. Nothing will change from our side in relation to doing the things we want to do in every game.”
It’s four wins-in-a-row against Mayo and their first league victory over the same opposition since 2008 sets Galway up for their next showdown in the Connacht Championship in May. But Walsh was quick to point out this result would have no effect then.
“I don’t see how it would,” concluded Walsh. “It’s not about me or Stephen Rochford. it’s about us getting the very best out of our own players.
“No, it’s game by game. This is about us trying to stick to the process. To learn. Trying to get two points no matter who it is.”
Agallamh le bainisteoir Gaillimh Kevin Walsh.
Bí linn ar #TG4 #AllianzLeagues@Galway_GAA v @MayoGAA pic.twitter.com/mBpnlCdP4F— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) February 11, 2018
