At Croke Park last Sunday, only a solitary point parted the teams, yet, the emotions felt by Armagh and Galway during the last seven days couldn’t be more contrasting. They were on the same field last weekend, but the following week transported them to different realities. The difference was huge, highlighting the contrast between bliss and agony, prevailing on small margins.
Aaron McKay’s invaluable goal had an instrumental role in an All-Ireland final, characterised by defensive prowess. Galway entered the second half on a promising note, with a minor lead of 0-10 against 0-9, but the goal from Armagh brought more than just an alteration of the scoreline, it shifted the entire game’s momentum.
In the wake of last week’s match, the reality of both Galway and Armagh has altered significantly – a celestial difference it can be said. Now is the moment Kingdom aims to seize as a prime opportunity.
Reviewing the Gaelic Football year, Armagh sprung the biggest surprise in a season full of unexpected upsets. It coincided with the retirement of Kilkenny’s Cillian Buckley from intercounty hurling.
Before the match, I had the impression that victory would probably favour the team that scored a goal, as both the teams had an impressive defensive record throughout the season – an unspoken commandment of the game – no breach allowed! A goal conceded in an All-Ireland final was certain to hamper the spirits of the conceding side while simultaneously boosting the morale of the opponents.
The ball was under the control of both teams for substantial time periods last Sunday, each successfully thwarting the other’s offensive moves. Galway’s first opening was a complete Galway-like move – they retained control for over two minutes, gradually maneuvering the ball until Paul Conroy took the shot.
This first score naturally prompted an uproarious cheer from Galway’s supporters. However, my guess is that Armagh was not too bothered considering from almost 45-meter line the shot was taken, implying the struggle to find space. If that’s where Galway had to shoot from for the rest of the game, Armagh had the upper hand calculating the decreasing success rate from such a distance.
Credit must be given to Armagh’s defence, which made it increasingly difficult for Galway’s forwards or their defensive runners from deep to locate scoring zones.
Galway’s performance showed a 52 per cent scoring efficiency rate with 13 goals out of 25 attempts, making it a struggle for them to win. The team was further handicapped by Rob Finnerty’s unfortunate early injury and Shane Walsh was not satisfied with his overall performance, but scoring failures were more an issue of the entire team rather than individuals.
Both teams had a defensive stance, maintaining 15 members behind the ball and a slow transition as they tend to be conservative, hence leading to a challenging and exasperating day for the forwards. As a result, when the ball eventually made it to the field, the opponents had already established their defence and it resulted in minimal scores by both teams.
Reflecting on what could have been done differently, Galway showed their potential for a more daring strategy during the concluding minutes of the game when they increased their attack. Despite this being a high-risk, energy-draining move, it proved to be effective in producing scoring opportunities.
The question then is, could they have initiated this offensive style earlier a few more times in the game to challenge Armagh’s defensive line?
In the aftermath of this defeat, the outlook for Galway in the coming year appears challenging. Two lost finals would definitely shake their self-assurance. Despite the challenges, the team demonstrated laudable fortitude at various points during the championship, but couldn’t quite clinch a win.
The future holds hope as long as Walsh, Damien Comer and Seán Kelly can overcome their injury issues before the 2025 season commences. However, questions remain about the commitment of the current players. Despite having a host of skilled players, it’s uncertain how the mental toll of the past losses might affect the team moving forward.
It’s hard to deny the sense of missed opportunity that prevails among next year’s All-Ireland contenders. Numerous teams are expected to show marked improvements, while Galway seems to have missed yet another chance. Based on my current predictions, 2025 could pose a significant challenge for the Tribesmen.
Turning our attention to Armagh, it’s evident the players have a strong sense of invincibility. After my maiden All-Ireland victory, I recall my own increased comfort in high-pressure game situations, having previously navigated through them. This experience undoubtedly lends a significant advantage.
The Armagh team is likely to be eager to recommence winter training. Their recent victory will fuel their growth and, despite the uphill battle of retaining the All-Ireland title, they’re equipped with the invaluable resource of Kieran McGeeney at the helm of their camp.
I’m confident McGeeney will evoke the experiences of his 2002 team to his players, underscoring their shortcomings in securing more All-Ireland titles. He’ll encourage his squad to not be content with a singular victory, to live without regrets.
As long as the players are modest and their appetite for success remains strong, Armagh could once again be a strong contender next year.
The defining characteristic for Armagh this season is unequivocally ‘grit’. Grit – a quality that successful teams consistently demonstrate, and one that Armagh has exemplified greatly in the year 2024.
Post-final interviews shed light on the various challenges and disappointments encountered by the players, serving to strengthen their unity. There’s an apparent sense of camaraderie among this group. Winner or loser, they stand united. Armagh epitomises true grit and are deserving champions.