'It will be a right battle' - Galway's John Maher wary of Meath

RTÉ News​

2 days ago

Galway midfielder John Maher insists the Connacht champions won't take Meath lightly in their All-Ireland SFC quarter-final clash at Croke Park.
The Tribesmen take on the Royals on Sunday with the bookmakers, at least, installing them as the heavy favourites to progress.
After a rocky patch, Maher and his team-mates have found form, claiming a two-point victory away to Down in the preliminary quarter-finals, following a win on the road against Armagh.
Meath have upset the form book on a consistent basis, getting the better of Kerry, Cork and Dublin so far this year.
Galway are eager to ensure that they don't become the next big scalp on the Royals' list and Maher insists his side are taking nothing for granted in Croke Park.
Analysing Meath's strengths, he said: "They have strong defenders, good one-on-one defenders, they're tenacious in the tackle. They've a strong midfield and up top we think everyone could be a threat.
"From back to front, they have a balanced team. If we're all focused on this, we wouldn't be looking at odds or looking at underdogs. We know what to focus on for the weekend and we're taking this one as serious as any game."
Meath are likely to be further strengthened by the return of star forward Mathew Costello, who missed their clash with Derry but has now shaken off a hamstring injury.
This will be the first time that Maher and Costello meet on the pitch and the Galway man is looking forward to facing him
" I haven't (played against him before), but I've seen him play plenty of times," he said. "He's a very impressive player and he had a great Leinster final. That will add to their forward line greatly.
"The fact that they got past Kerry by nine points missing a key player like him, along with other key names, just shows the strength of their team, so it will be a right battle on Sunday.
Galway are hoping to welcome back a key player of their own but Shane Walsh's return from a shoulder injury appears to still be in doubt.
"Shane is taking it day by day," Maher said. "I think he's talking with the medical team. We're training again this evening, so we'll know more.
"But yeah, he got a bit of a knock on the weekend and he's taking it day by day."
The congested nature of the season and the quick turnaround when it comes to matches seems to be playing a part in the injuries that the likes of Costello and Walsh are suffering.
Maher admitted that the hectic schedule is taking a toll on players, not just physically but mentally and emotionally too.
"There's no doubt that it is taxing on the body, and it's not just physical. It's definitely mental in terms of getting up for games and traveling all over the country.
"It certainly is a tough schedule, especially having the fixtures that we've had last year.
"I think we were away to Westmeath, which was a journey we could do on the day and then we had a home preliminary match.
"Compare that that to an away trip to Derry and an away trip to Down it is quite different in terms of, in terms of traveling. So that all takes emotional and mental energy as well as physical.
" I'm looking forward to next year where it is a slightly altered schedule where it's in one less game. I think that might work a bit more.
"You want all your best players fresh and, available for games and for supporters as well… The Galway support has been incredible. They've followed us all around us over the month. But we do ask a lot of players and a lot of everyone."
Those Galway supporters will be hoping for another big couple of days out this campaign and while the journey from the west is not insignificant, it's one they'll be eager to make another couple of times this summer.