IT WAS THE RIGHT CALL

Two All-Ireland finals convince Tribe

- BY KARL O'KANE

GALWAY Chairman Paul Bellew says Padraic Joyce is the right man to go after the inches his side need in their quest for All-Ireland glory.

Joyce was handed a fresh three year term last night after “a long period of introspection and review on a number of fronts between players, management and ourselves.”

Speaking to Galway Bay FM, Bellew pointed to Joyce's stellar record in the Connacht Championship and how close they've come to bridging a gap to their last All-Ireland, going all the way back to 2001.

Joyce is shaking up his backroom team, with John Divilly - a St. Jarlath's and Galway team mate of the manager - moving on.

Double All-Ireland winner Joyce has been senior manager for six years with his latest term - if he sees it out - taking that stint to nine seasons.

The longest serving inter-county football manager is Armagh's Kieran McGeeney (11 seasons), while London's Michael Maher has been in charge for six year.

Galway have come agonisingly close to landing the Sam Maguire, losing All-Ireland Finals to Kerry (2022) and Armagh (2024).

“We have lost four Championship games in four years and we have lost every single one by one single point.

“That shows the level we are at, where Padraic Joyce and his management team have brought this group and where they have brought themselves.

“We are going for five Connacht titles in a row - two All-Ireland final appearances in that period - and the only ambition left is to get over the line.

“There is no doubt about that. Yes, we have the players. Yes, we have the squad. I think our results determine that.

“I think we will learn and adapt a lot. But we are in a good position. We are at the top of the tree.

“We need to improve the inches at the end of it and no better man than Padraic to lead that.”

ONE school of thought out there would be that Padraic Joyce has had six shots at it - and it's time to go.