'We could have been in the same spot as they are' - Pádraic Joyce insists extra spice in Galway v Mayo clash

Padraic Joyce is readying his Galway players for the challenge of Mayo. Photo: Daire Brennan/Sportsfile

John Fallon

March 10 2020 02:30 AM

Galway football boss Pádraic Joyce says that while they are hoping to book a place in the league final and Mayo are battling relegation, their roles could just as easily be reversed given how tight the game in Division 1 has been this spring.

Expectation levels in Galway have soared since Joyce took charge and four wins from five leaves them on the cusp of reaching their second league final in three years as they bid to lift the title for the first time since 1981.

Mayo come to Salthill on Sunday looking for a result to help them stave off relegation after picking up just three points from five games but Joyce has had enough tussles with the old enemy over the years to know that these sort of derbies take on a life of their own.

"When we were looking at the league we were saying, between ourselves and Mayo, one of us would be fighting for a place in the final and the other relegation more than likely. And that is that case - it is going to add extra spice to the match," reflected Joyce.

"We could have been in the same spot as they are. We won two games by a point and lost by a point. The nature of the league, it is so, so tight.

"But in fairness to James Horan, the one thing about him, is he is introducing young blood all the time. He is building for the championship more than likely and next year. But he is giving game-time to a lot of players.

"They have three points, they only need to get another three to keep them safe. They will come to Galway guns blazing. It won't be a disaster if they get relegated but it won't help.

"Even for ourselves here in Galway, we don't get to play Mayo too often in these important big league matches. It's normally championship. For the crowds and for the two counties it is great that the two of us are in Division 1."

Defender Liam Silke is his only major injury concern with the experienced Corofin defender battling a hamstring problem he sustained against Meath.

Galway have been the form team in the league, their only loss happening at the death in Kerry, with wins over Monaghan, Donegal, Tyrone and Meath putting them top of the table with two rounds left.

Joyce is hopeful that successive home encounters against Mayo, who won the league last year, and All-Ireland champions Dublin will help him build his championship squad but he knows these will be big tests.

"We are happy with where we are. We are top of the table, won four out of five. We have two home games left. Two massive home games playing the two best teams that have been in the GAA the last six or seven years.

"We are under no illusions it is going be two really hard games. Two great tests for our lads to see where we are exactly at. It will be good for us and we are looking forward to it."