Greetings and a warm welcome to the blog focussed on the All-Ireland Football Final, a showdown between Armagh and Galway, at Croke Park. This is John O’Sullivan, your shepherd through the afternoon’s events, unfolding the build-up and ultimate action of the match.
It’s intriguing to contemplate how many spectators might have predicted a face-off between these two competitors at the onset of the Championship. Nonetheless, there is no denying that Armagh and Galway have rightfully earned their spots at today’s Gaelic football’s highlight event at Croke Park.
Their familiarity with each other’s game is quite substantial, with three matchups in the Championship since 2022. Initially, two years prior, Galway clinched a nail-biting victory through penalties. Armagh settled scores by edging out Galway by a marginal point in the second encounter. Most recently, in June, a thrilling draw ensued, courtesy of a last-minute point by Stefan Campbell at Markievicz Park.
Armagh’s growth has been commendable and reaching the All-Ireland may bring even more freedom to their gameplay. However, the current projections place Galway in a favourable light with their experienced players performing in top form, potentially reaching a significant milestone by securing their tenth win.
Now, let’s meet the teams:
ARMAGH: B Hughes; P Burns, A McKay, B McCambridge; C Mackin, T Kelly, A Forker (capt); N Grimley, B Crealey; J McElroy, R O’Neill, O Conaty; R Grugan, A Murnin, C Turbitt.
Subs: E Rafferty, G McCabe, P, McGrane, C Higgins, R McQuillan, S McPartlan, J Duffy, O O’Neill, S Campbell, A Nugent, J Burns.
GALWAY: C Gleeson; J McGrath, S Fitzgerald, J Glynn; D McHugh, L Silke, S Mulkerrin; P Conroy, S Kelly (capt); M Tierney, J Maher, C McDaid; R Finnerty, D Comer, S Walsh.
Subs: C Flaherty, J Daly, E Kelly, D O’Flaherty, K Molloy, C Sweeney, C Darcy, J Heaney, L Ó Conghaile, T Culhane, N Daly.