Former All-Ireland winner Alan Kerins says Galway have the forwards to go far this summer – but reckons reaching the Super 8s is key.
A win today to secure back to back Connacht titles will propel Kevin Walsh’s side through to the All-Ireland quarter-final group stage.
Kerins, who came on as a sub in Galway’s last All-Ireland win in 2001, said it’s vital they get there again to launch another assault on the Sam Maguire Cup.
And he reckons that if players like Shane Walsh and Ian Burke are ‘given the freedom to express themselves’ fully then it could be a long summer.
Galway reached the All-Ireland quarter-finals in 2016 and 2017, and the semi-finals last year.
Ex-attacker Kerins said: “The Super 8s is key for them first of all, reaching the semi-final last year was great for them so the target would be to go one further than that ultimately. I think they are right up there, they have great forwards.
“They obviously need to get Damien Comer back, Cillian McDaid is coming back, Paul Conroy the same. They have three or four solid midfielders. Kevin Walsh has built a great panel, there’s a lot of strength in depth there.
“If they get that spring in their step and a bit of belief and momentum, and the forwards are given the freedom to express themselves they’ll have a right shot.
“Shane Walsh is there, Ian Burke, Comer when he’s fit, Eamonn Brannigan, McDaid, Johnny Heaney, there’s a heap of players there with great potential. They are as good a unit as is out there.”
Galway and Roscommon are meeting in the western decider for the fifth time in four seasons.
But while it might seem like they have home advantage in Salthill, Roscommon won there in 2017 and drew at the seaside venue in 2016.
Kerins acknowledged the weather can easily ruin a game there with showers and a 20kmph wind forecast for this afternoon.
Kerins said: “It is a difficult place to play. If there’s a big breeze it’s hard to play there. But you’d hope home advantage will stand to Galway.”
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