Managers Ó Flatharta and McIntyre under intense pressure

By JIM CARNEY SUDDENLY, it's a hostile atmosphere in Galway G.A.A. circles. After an inept, shockingly poor show by Galway footballers in the Connacht S.F.C. semi-final against Mayo at McHale Park, Castlebar last Sunday, the knives are out ahead of the big 'back door' clash with Leinster 2010 champions Meath at Páirc Tailteann, Navan on Saturday week, July 9th, at 7.00 o'clock. Following disturbing reports of an altercation between a top Galway Football Board officer and a member of manager Tomás Ó Flatharta's management team in Castlebar last Sunday evening, there will be huge, almost unbearable pressure on Ó Flatharta when he takes on a Meath team dramatically revitalised by their own 'outside' manager, Séamus McEnaney. At Kingspan Breffni Park, Cavan last Saturday evening there was a sensational display by Meath in their 5-8 to 2-8 victory over Louth, with the Royal County's swashbuckling left full-forward Cian Ward hitting a whopping four goals, all from play. Galway were so poor against James Horan's Mayo, who won by 1-12 to 1-6, that almost certainly there will be yet another change of management if Tomás Ó Flatharta doesn't rescue a crisis situation when he brings his team to Navan. But many shrewd observers of the scene locally fear that the Galway players will not collectively have a stomach for a fight the next day, and all agree this will be a war of attrition as much as a mere game of football. Mayo, with their London fright now well behind them, are preparing for a Connnacht Final showdown with title-holders Roscommon at Dr Hyde Park on Sunday, July 17th. The curtain-raiser to that big match will be the Connacht Minor Championship final. Roscommon are already through, having knocked out the holders Mayo at Castlebar last Sunday, and the second ticket is between Galway and Leitrim. Under the management of Tommie Joyce of Killererin, Galway eliminated Sligo at Markievicz Park last Saturday evening, and will play Leitrim in the second of the semi-finals, at Carrick-on-Shannon next Saturday evening. This game will be played at 7.00 p.m. despite Galway Football Board efforts to have it moved to earlier in the day, so that Galway GAA fans could get back in time to see the county hurlers play Clare at Pearse Stadium. It is not yet known if star footballer Michael Meehan, introduced as a sub in the second half against Mayo, will be able to start against Meath, but almost certainly Galway hurling team manager John McIntyre will have his injured duo, Gerard Farragher and Iarla Tannian, back to face Clare on Saturday evening. There is a hot background to this game from a Galway point of view, as two former stars, Cathal Moore and Ollie Canning, came out strongly last week against the decision of 1980s legends Conor Hayes, Noel Lane and Brendan Lynskey to criticise the present team before the Dublin game. There's added spice (even vinegar!) to the comments, on television, of Cathal Moore and Ollie Canning â€â€ their younger brothers Fergal and Joe, respectively, played for the Galway team well beaten by the dynamic Dubs, now a major force under the inspirational management of former Clare All-Ireland winning captain Anthony Daly. Galway hurling fans are still upset by the lifeless show on the field at O'Connor Park, Tullamore, and by the lack of decisive action taken on the sideline by John McIntyre and his helpers, Joe Connolly, John Hardiman and John Moylan. It's a huge weekend coming up for the G.A.A. Also on Saturday, born-again Limerick play Wexford in the S.H.C. qualifiers, while in football the Munster Championship final on Sunday is the big match: Kerry vs All-Ireland champions Cork at Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney. 2.00 p.m. This is the first time since 2008 that Cork and Kerry have met in the Munster final, although they have clashed seven times since then in provincial semi-finals, All-Ireland semi-finals and one final. Since the introduction of the All-Ireland 'back door' ten years ago, Cork and Kerry have met on no fewer than 20 occasions at Munster and All-Ireland levels with the results: Kerry 11, Cork 4, draws 5. In these very worrying times for Galway, with the county footballers and hurlers sinking to new low points, it's remarkable to think that this is the 10th anniversary year of Galway reaching the 2001 All-Ireland finals in both codes â€â€ winning the football but losing the hurling to Tipperary. Now the hurlers, with McIntyre's reputation at stake, know it's make or break when Clare come to Galway on Saturday. These two neighbouring counties have clashed twelve times in the Championship with Clare holding an 8-3 lead, and one draw. They last met in the All-Ireland qualifiers two years ago. Last four Championship clashes: Galway 2-18 Clare 1-11 (2009 qualifiers). Clare 2-10 Galway 0-14 (2007 qualifiers). Galway 1-15 Clare 2-11 (2003 qualifiers). Clare 1-15 Galway 0-17 (2002 All-Ireland quarter-final).