It wasn't always pretty at times yesterday, but Galway's class ultimately showed as they ran out as comfortable winners in their All-Ireland semi-final against Derry at Croke Park.
The first half was a rather drab affair, with the Connacht champions failing to break down the opposition's deep lying defence. However, they were much more effective after the interval as Damien Comer took control of proceedings.
They were fully deserving of their five point victory.
A second goal for Galway and Damien Comer, shooting into an empty net after a rapid counter-attack. The Tribesmen look to be on their way to the final
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Galway will now prepare for their first All-Ireland final in 21 years in a couple of weeks, a milestone Padraic Joyce has been aiming for since he took over the county.
Padraic Joyce looking forward to Galway's All-Ireland return
Speaking to reporters after the match, he admitted that winning an All-Ireland has been his only goal since initially taking the Galway job for the 2020 season.
I'd said from day one since I got the job, it's about winning an All-Ireland.
It's taken us three years to get here but look it, we're here now so we're definitely going to make the most of it.
Ye lads know from writing about us, there'd be a soft belly that people see in Galway. And until we actually go and win these big games in Croke Park, that tag is going to follow you around.
So after winning that game (against Armagh) and the way we won it, being six up, letting them back into it, and the row, normally gone by we might have folded a bit, but we took a lot of solace from that.
Galway manager Padraic Joyce celebrates with Damien Comer after the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Semi-Final match between Derry and Galway. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Traditionally one of the strongest counties in the country, Galway have been well short of their usual standards at times over the last couple of decades. They hit rock bottom around a decade ago and have been steadily improving since then.
Of course, Joyce is well aware of what it takes to experience success at the highest level. He won a pair of Celtic crosses with the county during his playing days.
He is now wants to remind people of Galway's past pedigree.
You look at history, Dublin and Kerry are way ahead. Galway are actually the third most successful team in football in the country. People sometimes forget that.
But it is a long time since we were competing at this level. People might say we've had the easy side of the draw and all this kind of stuff. But we're there on merit.
The lads have put in a tremendous effort and let's hope we can get ourselves sorted for two weeks time and really go at it.
Galway are likely to enter the final as underdogs, although Joyce will have them well prepared for the challenge ahead.
After two decades outside of the elite, the entire county will certainly be right behind them.
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