Joyce: 'They are winners, they are competitors, they want to win'
Saturday's All-Ireland U-20 final with Donegal in Tubbercurry
By Darren Kelly
“I NEVER entered a competition that I didn’t want to win. And this is the same in that we have a chance of winning an All-Ireland. We’re going to do everything we can to get there and that’s what the girls wanted as well. They are winners, they are competitors, they want to win.”
Galway manager Kevin Joyce laid down the importance of Saturday's All-Ireland U-20 Ladies Football Championship against Donegal as his panel look to take their place in history.
After waiting six weeks since their last fixture, and only finding out their opponents two weeks ago, the Tribeswomen are determined to take advantage of getting another opportunity.
“It was very hard to keep going and believe you were in an All-Ireland when the odds were really stacked against us after the Dublin game and it was out of our control what was going to happen,” said Joyce who led Oughterard to Connacht Junior success in 2023.
“But we stayed training. We took a week off after the Dublin game and we took the week off actually off before the Meath-Dublin game. The girls were playing club games and we took that week off. In between, we did train and we got good turnout for training.”
Galway’s fourth round defeat to Dublin left them uncertain of their future as they awaited a favour from Meath in June, there was plenty of detail from that last outing to keep their minds focused.
“We were chasing the game,” continued Joyce. “And when you are chasing a game, it’s very hard because you leave gaps behind you when you’re chasing to get scores to bring yourself back. We were probably fatigued, a little bit fatigued after the Cork game (seven days earlier).
“Dublin were after having a three-week break and they looked fresher and the started better than us. We didn’t play anywhere near to what we believe our potential was that day against Dublin. We’ve got a second chance now.”
“Definitely hoping it was a one off,” added the Galway manager on going eight points down and conceding 4-16 in total. “We had a very good defence up to that. We weren’t conceding soft goals.
“Just on the day, not taking away from Dublin, they were very good and they had runners coming through and it was very hard to pick them up. They were moving the ball fast and we just seemed a bit lethargic, a bit off the pace on the day.
Wing-back Ruby Quinn was missing that day through injury but is back and available for Saturday’s game. However, Galway will be minus full-back Jess Ross who has damaged ankle ligaments. Outside of that, there’s a full panel to pick from.
And while their concession rate drops considerably closer to the 15 points average over their four games in May, they’ll be requiring a strong scoring rate in attack where Alisha O’Malley has contributed over 50 per cent of their tally.
“I’m sure Donegal will be watching for Alisha so we can’t be expecting huge things off Alisha on Saturday but we’re quietly confident,” suggested Joyce. “We have other girls well able to score and well able step up to the mark when needs be. As well as a good 15 starting, we have a good panel and we’re fine in that regard.
“(Donegal have been) very impressive. They scored five goals in the Ulster final. I watched it, they were unreal. Very athletic, very strong girls. We actually played them in a challenge on Easter Monday earlier in the year and they were very good that day as well.
Finally, how will this game be decided?
“Goals win matches and goals cost you matches as well,” concluded Joyce. “It’s the middle third, the half-backs, the midfield, the half-forwards. The work-rate that they bring to the game will dictate what happens on Saturday.
“If we bring our A game, I’d be quietly confident that we have the players to get over the line. But if we’re anything less than on form on the day, we will be in serious, serious bother.”
GALWAY U-20 PANEL & MANAGEMENT: Klara Banek (captain, Oughterard); Eadie Ryan (Kilconly); Leanne Seoighe (Naomh Anna Leitir Móir); Caoimhe McCabe, Aisling Murray, Ellen Jordan, Saoirse Murray (all Caltra Cuans); Ruby Quinn, Clodagh Crowley (Claregalway); Jess Ross, Saoirse Coleman, Sarah Hession (Naomh Mhuire); Sarah Banks, Saoirse Melia (Tuam-Cortoon); Katie Slattery, Isabelle Murray, Rebecca Noone (Dunmore MacHales); Alisha O’Malley, Ava Heneghan, Emma Curran, Keeva Reynolds (St. Fursey’s); Gráinne Farragher, Ailish Molloy, Sarah McWalter (Monivea-Abbey); Aoibhinn Madden (Kilkerrin-Clonberne); Aoife Nash, Ava McGauran, Emelia Joyce, Zainab Rather (Salthill-Knocknacarra); Katie Kearns (Loughrea); Lucy Trench Kearney (Annaghdown). Management: Kevin Joyce (manager), Tommy Flynn, Sheila Gleeson, Ryan Connolly (strength & conditioning), Jess Lee (nutritionist), Caoimhe Joyce (FLO), Jack Mac Uladh (physio).