Former Galway ace Fitzgerald is wary of Mayo threat
COROFIN star and former Galway player Kieran Fitzgerald feels that there is more confidence within Galway at the moment, but he is very conscious at what Mayo will bring to the table on Sunday afternoon in the quarterfinal of the Connact SFC in Castlebar
He also believes Galway have a physical edge to there game which might upset Mayo.
“As a Galway man, I hope Galway win it, but I think there is going to be a big kick in Mayo,” he said in an interview with John Brennan in this week's issue of The Connaught Telegraph.
For years Mayo have set the benchmark when it came to physical conditioning in Connaught, with Galway feeling the full force of Mayo’s strength and power.
However, the addition of the acclaimed Paddy Tally from Tyrone has given Galway a new physical and mental edge.
Fitzgerald has been impressed by this new style from Galway.
“Compared to last year there is definitely a more aggressive edge to them. They went out meek enough last year, whereas this year they have been really aggressive. They really fronted up to Mayo in the league game in Pearse Stadium.
“Paddy Tally has put lots of aggression into them. Their intensity in the tackle is massive. They are nearly going over the mark at times. Whatever about anything else they are going to be very hard to breakdown,” he said.
When Stephen Rochford’s name crops up on the agenda, there is massive respect for the All-Ireland winning club manager.
Fitzgerald namechecks Rochford as one of the most influential managerial appointments in Corofin.
“From a club point of view in Corofin, he created a professional environment where we were operating as a county team. He put real discipline into the club. He structured the club from adult level and everybody was feeding into the one goal for the senior team. Everybody bought into it straight away and gave the players confidence.
“From a Mayo point of view, he is probably under pressure. I’d say just from a silverware point of view. He has got to two All-Ireland finals and been pipped at the post. He came off the back of Pat Holmes and Noel Connelly, but James Horan set the benchmark.
“The thing for Stephen is that he doesn’t want to be a Mayo manager that has lost to Galway for three years in a row.”
When pushed on a verdict, Fitzgerald acknowledges the major threat that Mayo will pose.
“I would be very wary of Stephen Rochford and Mayo. I think something will happen where they will sneak it. Galway will be going there full of confidence. I would be hoping that Galway win it, but if you were a Mayo footballer you would be gunning for this game,” he concluded.