Galway sent shockwaves around Ireland with their 0-17 to 0-16 victory over Dublin in the quarter finals of the All-Ireland senior football championship.
Shane Walsh, Dylan McHugh and man-of-the-match Cillian McDaid were inspirational for Padraic Joyce's team as they ensured Dublin wouldn't make the last four for the first time since 2009.
Dublin were favourites coming into the game and were favourites to retain the Sam Maguire but an inspired second half display from Galway stopped them in their tracks.
29 June 2024; Shane Walsh of Galway celebrates with his nephew Milo Costello after his side's victory in the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship quarter-final match between Dublin and Galway at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Speaking on GAAGO, Cillian O'Connor noticed a tactical change by Galway at half-time, whereby they pushed up on the Dublin kick-out ensuring that Stephen Cluxton had to go long.
The Mayo man asked Galway manager Joyce about the change in approach after the game and he said that it was something they took from Mayo two weeks ago.
"Stephen Cluxton is the best keeper in the game. You know that Cillian," said Joyce.
"His accuracy is 100%. We probably took some tactics from yourselves the week before, that you have to go man-to-man with them.
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"Niall Scully caused big problems in the first half where Brian Howard was coming out to the right half back position and Scully was coming down the middle winning a couple," he added, "So we pushed Dylan McHugh up on them, went three on four and we forced them long a few times."
Galway completely took over the game in the second half with Cillian McDaid playing his part in a turn-around that saw them recover from a four point deficit to win.
"It didn't always work out but at least we turned them over a few times there, Shane and Damien won a couple," Joyce said of the turn-around. It rattled them a little bit, we got scores off them which was great.
"We went after it at half-time. Every time Dublin get the ball off, their efficiency is off the charts."
No words can describe what Padraic Joyce is feeling 🥰@AIB_GAA #TheToughest pic.twitter.com/xhQByUBOly
— GAAGO (@GAAGO) June 29, 2024
Joyce was pleased that his team celebrated their win passionately but said their focus will quickly turn to the semi-final in two weeks time, where they'll take on Donegal.
"There's no silverware under our feet, we're in a semi-final, another competitive game. We'll watch the games tomorrow, re-group next week then."
