Group 1: Westmeath v Galway – GAA Championship Clash
Match Preview
The eagerly anticipated Group 1 clash in the GAA Gaelic football championship features Westmeath taking on Galway. Both teams have had contrasting fortunes in their initial outings, setting the stage for a fascinating encounter. Galway will secure a place in the quarter-finals if they win.
Live Scores for Westmeath v Galway
Previous Encounters
Westmeath and Galway have met only twice previously in the championship. Westmeath claimed a narrow victory in an All-Ireland qualifier tie back in 2006, winning 1-8 to 0-10 in Pearse Stadium. However, Galway exacted revenge last year, securing a comfortable 0-20 to 0-12 win in Mullingar during the All-Ireland round robin series.
Championship Journey So Far
Galway
- Galway 5-21 London 0-9 (Connacht quarter-final)
- Galway 1-13 Sligo 0-14 (Connacht semi-final)
- Galway 0-16 Mayo 0-15 (Connacht final)
- Galway 2-14 Derry 0-15 (All-Ireland round robin)
Galway have showcased their offensive prowess and defensive solidity, highlighted by their remarkable run of not conceding a single goal in their four championship games to date.
Top Scorers for Galway
- R Finnerty: 1-21 (0-8 frees, 0-1 mark)
- C Darcy: 2-4
- P Conroy: 1-6
- J Heaney: 0-7
- T Culhane: 2-0
Westmeath
- Wicklow 2-9 Westmeath 1-11 (Leinster first round)
- Armagh 0-16 Westmeath 0-11 (All-Ireland round robin)
Westmeath’s journey has been more challenging, with a narrow defeat to Wicklow in the Leinster first round and a five-point loss to Armagh in their initial All-Ireland round robin match.
Top Scorers for Westmeath
- L Loughlin: 0-6 (0-3 frees)
- J Heslin: 0-5 (0-2 frees)
- J Lynam: 1-0
- R Forde: 0-3 (0-1 free)
- R O’Toole: 0-3
Key Insights
- Galway’s stellar defense has not conceded any goals in their four championship games so far.
- Rival managers, Pádraic Joyce (Galway) and Dessie Dolan (Westmeath), were both players in the first championship clash between these teams in 2006, with Dolan captaining Westmeath to a one-point win.
- Westmeath is still seeking their first victory in the ‘round robin’ series introduced last year, having lost to Galway, Armagh, and drawing with Tyrone previously, and losing again to Armagh this year.
Team News
Westmeath: Jason Daly; Jamie Gonoud, Kevin Maguire, James Dolan; Sam McCartan, Ronan Wallace, David Lynch; Ray Connellan, Andy McCormack; Jonathan Lynam, Ronan O’Toole, Conor Dillon; Luke Loughlin, John Heslin, Robbie Forde.
Subs: Jack Connaughton, Shane Allen, Charlie Drumm, Eoin Mulvihill, Matthew Whittaker, Daniel Scahill, Senan Baker, Lorcan Dolan, Stephen Smith, Kieran Martin, Conor McCormack.
Galway: Connor Gleeson; Johnny McGrath, Seán Fitzgerald, Jack Glynn; Dylan McHugh, John Daly, Liam Silke; Paul Conroy, John Maher; Johnny Heaney, Matthew Tierney, Céin D’Arcy; Liam Ó Conghaile, Shane Walsh, Cillian McDaid.
Subs: Conor Flaherty, Seán Ó Maoilchiaráin, Eoghan Kelly, Daniel O’Flaherty, Kieran Molloy, Cian Hernon, Patrick Egan, Cathal Sweeney, Cillian Ó Curroain, Tomo Culhane, Niall Daly.
Betting
Galway 1/8 Westmeath 6/1
Handicap – Galway -6 10/11
Conclusion
As Westmeath seek to register their first round robin win and Galway aim to continue their winning streak with both teams eager to secure vital points in Group 1. Expect Westmeath to get within 6pts.
