'We Might Appeal': Joyce Defends Tierney After 'Unfortunate' Galway Red Card
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- 'We Might Appeal': Joyce Defends Tierney After 'Unfortunate' Galway Red Card
Galway laid down their league and championship ambitions with a 0-21 to 0-14 win against Donegal in blustery Salthill.
The Connacht men took full advantage of the strong breeze in the first half, going into a commanding 0-17 to 0-1 lead at halftime. This was despite Matthew Tierney's sending off just before the break, they managed to keep their Ulster counterparts at bay.
It was an unusual sending off, which many felt was overly harsh. Tierney appeared to make some head contact with Donegal's Hugh McFadden with his shoulder. Unlike rugby, GAA does not factor in mitigation and the verdict was a straight red.
Can't remember last time I saw a half-time scoreline like that. Galway 0-17 Donegal 0-1. 🌬💨💨💨
Also, no way was this a red card! @Galway_GAA @officialdonegal #AllianzLeagues #GAA pic.twitter.com/Fu09P9cMWD
— Damian Cullen (@Damian_Cullen) February 23, 2025
Speaking after the game to reporters, Padraic Joyce said Galway will consider an appeal.
Shane Walsh: in the zone“It was right in front of me so I saw it. Obviously, Mattie came in to hit a shoulder on Hugh but his head ducked down.
“Was there contact with it? Probably a little bit. Was it an unfortunate red card? I’d say, yes. Donegal on the sideline were roaring for a red card, which they got.
“We’ll look at it; we might appeal it, we’ll see where it goes. But look it again, Mattie’s not a dirty player but I do understand the duty of care – it’s in rugby, I think it’s duty of care for head injuries and making contact with the head, I get all that.
"But again, Mattie’s distraught there because he didn’t go in with the intention of causing damage to anyone’s head. I spoke to the referee at half-time, and he said there was contact with the head, that’s why he gave the red, so I have to accept that.”
Galway star Shane Walsh clearly thrives on the new rules. He is a player of the match, scoring 11 points, including three two-pointers.
Speaking to Mícheál Ó Domhnaill after the game, the Kilmacud Croke man explains that there's no better feeling than kicking the ball perfectly off the foot and that they have the players take full advantage of the new two-point scoring arc.
"Yeah, I suppose with football nowadays, especially with these conditions, you have to get used to them, but it's enjoyable,” Walsh said.
SEE ALSO: Hat-Trick Hero Clifford Hails Impact Of New Rule In Tyrone Thriller“It's an opportunity when out there. When kicking a shoot, you try and measure your shoots, especially in the warm-ups, so it's always enjoyable, especially when you catch the balls sweetly. There's nothing nicer for any footballer kicking there.
Obviously, we were on song in the second half. We got a good enough lead and battled well in the second half to hold onto it.
I suppose that’s down to maybe we back our players in those areas. You know you have Matty (Tierney), Rob (Finnerty), and myself; there are loads of lads there. We didn’t have Paul (Conroy) today, but the lads out the field were immense.
John Maher is always immense. They just got the ball into the right areas, and it's our job to get free in areas to get the shots off. We always say the further away you are from the goal, the more a defender will leave, yeah, an extra yard or two, and on days like today, you're going to back yourself to have a go.”
Walsh was also fully aware of the Tribesmen's position. They are in pole position to advance to the league final, as they currently sit on seven points. However, as he told Ó Domhnaill, they're just happy to have all their players (minus Damien Comer) back on the field of play compared to last year, when they were struggling big time in the injury department.
“Padraic said that we would get three or four scores in the second half at halftime,” Walsh said.
"With the way we play, we worked hard to get them. We worked in a good ball and made it count when we got it in there. We probably left two or three behind us in the second half, which is also a good sign. It was all about getting over the line today, especially in these conditions.
Look, it's game by game, as I said. A couple of weeks ago, after the Mayo game this time last year, we were sweating, wondering if we would have players, if we would get points on the board, and we survived, so it's obviously a great position to be in. Next week, Tyrone is coming to Tuam, so it's another huge obstacle for us.
The big thing I have said is that anyone can win a game any day. That’s the big thing: all the teams have the calibre of players. Still, it's about who performs better on the day. After this year, the biggest thing we're doing is trying to get that consistency, which starts by getting people consistently on the field and putting the performance behind it.”
#GALvDON 'That's the big thing we're after this year, just getting that consistency'.🗣️
Labhair an Laoch na hImeartha Shane Walsh linn tar éis an chluiche.@Galway_GAA
BEO/LIVETG4 AR @TG4TV 📺 @AllianzIreland #AllianzLeagues #GAABEO pic.twitter.com/Ft5FW46ZSK
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) February 23, 2025
Jim McGuinness and Donegal are left with a few head-scratchers. They couldn’t get anything going in the conditions.
Every Shaun Patton kick out hung in the air. Their only shot from play in the entire half was an Oisin Gallen effort that looked destined to go over until the wind caught it.
They didn’t score a single point from play in the first half, and talisman Michael Murphy wasn’t involved with the match-day squad as he picked up a knock in his comeback game against Armagh.
However, McGuinness won't lose sleep, as they have Division 1 status secured, and all eyes turn to Derry in the Ulster championship.
READ ALSO: Tipp Star Speaks Candidly About Last Year's Disastrous Campaign After Big Win Over Cork
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