GALWAY STRETCHED

Sizeable number of absentees for Roscommon NFL clash

GALWAY'S senior footballers will look to get off the mark in their National League Division 1 campaign when they face neighbours Roscommon in their second-round tie at Hyde Park on Sunday (2pm).

Having lost to arch rivals Mayo in their opening home fixture last weekend, the Tribesmen have now been beaten in four of their five meetings with Mayo since Kevin McStay took charge.

Padraic Joyce’s team will be eager to get back on the Division 1 carousel with a much-improved display this Sunday, when they travel to Roscommon, who lost their opening day sojourn to Tyrone.

“It is disappointing, obviously disappointing. But it is the first league game of the year at the same time,” said Padraic Joyce outside the Galway team dressing room in Pearse Stadium last weekend.

“I think we did damage to ourselves in the first half more so than anything else. We showed a bit of character in the second half, a bit of fight, but, look, the first half we weren’t at the races really and I think it is a long time since we kicked 11 wides and 10 points. That tells the tale.

“At the same time, Mayo were full value for their victory. They were the better team on the day. Showed more aggression which is disappointing from our side in a local rivalry.”

The Galway manager provided a rundown of an extended absentee and injury list…

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