
Padraic Joyce won't rush Galway decision after shock All-Ireland exit to Meath
PADRAIC Joyce says he won't be making any rash decisions about his Galway future.
Joyce collected his last All-Ireland as a player in 2001, when he blasted 10 points in a final win over Meath.
2
Galway were left shocked after their defeat to Meath on Sunday afternoon
2
Galway manager Pádraic Joyce says he will not make a hasty decision on his future
But his six-year spell as boss could now be over after
Dessie Farrell announced his departure from Dublin immediately after their defeat on Saturday and it was thought that Joyce might do the same.
But the Galway manager said: "We've just gone out of the Championship so I'm not going to make any rash decisions. We'll sit and chat with the county board.
"There's a lot of lads in that dressing-room with decisions to make about next year as well, as we have as a management team, so we will do that in due course.
READ MORE ON GAA
"The county board have always been very supportive of me and the players so we will sit down and get things properly organised. Whatever will be will be.
"There will be no statements or no rushed announcements coming out in the next day or two anyway."
And yet Joyce conceded that it looked good for the 2022 and 2024 All-Ireland runners-up when they led by three with 10 minutes left.
He agreed that they looked to be in a good position but conceded they were second best in many areas of the game overall.
Most read in GAA Football
Joyce said: "We made life very hard on ourselves. You have to give credit to Meath as well.
"They were up for the game. They won the breaking ball battle all day out in the middle of the pitch.
'So much integrity' - RTE viewers hail Stephen Cluxton for 'principled stand' Dublin GAA icon took during Parnells saga
"They were very sharp inside as well. We didn't really get enough to put them away.
"They hung in the game very well and congratulations to them. We just didn't really finish the game out, very disappointing from our side, no doubt about it. But the lads will regroup and go again."
Galway fans roared their disapproval at a number of big calls from ref Martin McNally.
Joyce was dubious about a number of them too, wondering just how Meath were able to run down the clock in the final moments.
He said: "Connor (Gleeson) had a ball thrown down to kick it in the last two seconds and he just blew it up.
"I don't know, he kicked it short to himself. Just frustrated with a few decisions that went against us. That happens, we have to move on and take it."
Joyce said the bottom line was that Galway 'didn't get to the energy levels of the game'.
He said: "I think we conceded 2-6 or 2-7 in turnovers. I thought it was a harsh free given against Dan O'Flaherty which resulted in Meath's goal as well.
"Some days you get them, some days you don't. Today, we didn't."

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Irish Daily Mirror
36 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Caffrey column: Brennan frontrunner for Dubs job, but is it an attractive post?
A SATURDAY evening after an All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Tyrone and a Na Fianna man quits as Dublin not so much that I've seen his movie before, but that I was in it. I didn't hang around after Tyrone beat us in 2008. I informed my management team and county secretary John Costello straight after the game that I was gone and before gathering the players in the dressing room and telling them.I then went to fulfil my media obligations and quickly made it known, before the question was even asked. I didn't want a post mortem to drag on for two or three days before stepping previous year, Costello had called to say that he would be proposing me for another two years for me as Dublin manager, having already served three. But he couldn't get it through. They wanted to see out the 2008 season first and then review the that stage, we had been to two semi-finals and I felt that if we didn't at least get back to that stage and show signs of progression, it wasn't going to be good enough. So this was no spur of the moment call once we were beaten that day. Having not got the fifth year, the writing was on the wall. If you lose by a last minute point, there can be some solace but when you're comfortably beaten, it makes it fairly clearcut and I'd imagine there was a bit of that for Dessie Farrell last Saturday you, that's where the similarities with his predicament and mine end. His CV towers well above mine and he stands in a very elite group that have won All-Irelands at all grades as a manager. He is third only to Jim Gavin and Kevin Heffernan in terms of Dublin's most successful managers.I was surprised that he stayed on for 2025. I felt he'd go after they lost to Galway last year. He had five years done and retirements were inevitable. Stephen Cluxton staying on was an unexpected bonus but the departures of James McCarthy, Mick Fitzsimons, Paul Mannion and Jack McCaffrey were Fenton was the one that came out of left field and perhaps if Dessie knew of it earlier he may have stepped away himself. But we don't know what the discussions were behind the scenes - maybe he was asked to stay an extra year to start the would be typical of Dessie to put his shoulder to the wheel in that respect. It's well known what he's brought to Dublin but his contribution in Na Fianna is immense. He was constantly trying to drive things on and going beyond the call of duty, even when he was in with a disappointing manner for him to depart, but very few get to go on their own what happens next? Ger Brennan is the early favourite but often these things can take a very unpredictable Tommy Lyons stood down in 2004, Brian Mullins seemed a shoo in. He was unbackable, but the talks fell down and suddenly I was approached and given 24 hours to try and come up with a management team before I was swiftly ratified. You can be sure that Dublin are plotting already but, it has to be said, the job isn't terribly attractive just now. Underage results have been worrying in recent years and the conveyor belt of talent that was there for Gavin and Farrell has slowed fact, in the next few years, I don't think we're even going to be at the top table in Leinster. A lot of players have been introduced but it remains to be seen if they're going to be able to piece it together to challenge for major was a particularly bad weekend as, having not only lost to Tyrone, Kerry are rejuvenated after a spellbinding half of football against Armagh when it appeared that Jack O'Connor might have been running out of Meath push on again by beating Galway. Louth are already on top in Leinster while Offaly and Kildare's stock is rising too. It could suddenly become a very watchable province in the coming is the most obvious candidate to step into the job given what he's done with Louth and I'd imagine the lure of managing his own county would be strong for him. I'd be amazed if he doesn't get a call, at the very Darcy was strongly linked and believed to be the players' choice after Gavin quit but it didn't happen and he's with Leinster rugby now. He may not have any interest at this stage given the departure of so many of the players that he so worked closely I said, sometimes appointment processes can take a dramatic turn and while a Gavin return is a pipe dream for me, I wouldn't rule out Pat Gilroy pretty thin after that. There are others who would be credible as part of a management team but maybe don't have enough heft to take on the job assured, however, that there will be no clandestine talks like those alleged to have taken place between John Bailey and Mick O'Dwyer all those years ago. Whoever it is, Dublin will shop local.

The 42
an hour ago
- The 42
Carla Ward's Ireland feel the heat during Stateside slog
AFTER A SECOND heavy defeat to USA in three days, Ireland boss Carla Ward spoke about 'dangerously hot' conditions in Cinicinatti. Temperatures soared over 30 degrees as the depleted Girls In Green shipped another 4-0 drubbing yesterday. They lost on the same scoreline at altitude in Denver. Anna Patten also blasted the 'ridiculous' heat and humidity after another difficult outing against the world number one, who were also understrength. 'I actually don't think words can describe it,' Patten told RTÉ. 'To play with only a two-day break against the quality of players they have, in that temperature at this time of day, to be honest, it's a bit ridiculous.' The defender gave an insight into how hard it was to play in it, with high heart-rates unable to drop as bodies were overworked. Players were 'unwell' and 'begging to come off,' Ward explained, giving the sideline perspective. 'On 22 minutes, there were a couple of players asking to come off. We couldn't make those changes,' she told Tony O'Donoghue. Advertisement 'Then, at half time, we unfortunately had three enforced changes physically, due to fatigue, and a couple of them were unwell at half time. Even through the second half, players (were) almost begging to come off and we couldn't do anything about it.' Katie McCabe, Denise O'Sullivan, Megan Campbell, Aoife Mannion, Leanne Kiernan and Heather Payne were among the Irish absentees due to unavailability and injury. Others who travelled were on limited minutes, the overwhelming majority out of season. While Ward has talked up the merits of the trip, most will feel that it was a rather pointless endeavour. The timing was challenging, with the Championship contingent out of action since late April. The WSL finished on 10 May. Bar the NWSL and League of Ireland players, most have been holidaying and recharging the batteries in recent weeks after long, tough seasons. This was always going to be a mismatch, made more so by the loss of key Irish players, particularly star duo McCabe and O'Sullivan. The US were also down some big names, with Emma Hayes opting to rest all bar one of her European-based crew, Chelsea's million dollar defender Naomi Girma. But a young, domestic selection — all in season — made their mark, eager to impress and secure their future with the serial winners. Alyssa Thompson, Olivia Moultrie and Emma Sears were among those to dazzle across the double-header; Ireland outplayed and outmuscled twice, the gulf in class as wide as it has ever been. Albeit in very different circumstances, Ireland's pre-World Cup friendlies Stateside two years ago finished 2-0 and 1-0. Along with the same result in 2008 at Giants Stadium, a one-goal loss is as good as it has ever gotten in an abysmal record of friendlies in the US: 17 meetings, 17 defeats, 59 goals conceded, one scored. While the games themselves are tricky to assess, and won't be read into too much, it has all added to a sense of drift. 2025 has been testing: that much was inevitable after the Euros qualification heartbreak, the raft of retirements, and a change of management. Right now, it's hard to see that these friendlies, the first of Ward's mixed reign, have done more good than harm. While they will point to the opportunity of playing against one of the best teams in women's football, the Nations League promotion/relegation playoff against Belgium in October is the next big focus, and this didn't seem like appropriate preparation. Granted, when initial plans were in place, Ireland likely held aspirations of automatic promotion. Still, there must have been scope for experimentation and blooding new players, such as the U19 Euros stars of last summer, as 2027 World Cup qualifying looms large. Ellen Molloy, Hayley Nolan and Izzy Atkinson were the only different, yet familiar, faces in the squad; all used sparingly. Erin McLaughlin and US-born Dee Bradley were called up mid-camp; neither featured. The back-up goalkeepers remained unused. Ward deployed a 4-5-1 formation for the most part — Chloe Mustaki getting a real chance at left-back in the absence of McCabe and Campbell, Jessie Stapleton again covering on the right amidst a lack of options — but reverted to a back three/five for Sunday's second half. (Nolan and Lucy Quinn played out of their preferred positions.) While we at home didn't learn much from the exercises, that was one on-field positive the manager pointed to in her TV interview. 'We've looked at two different systems, we've looked at two different ways of playing. We've added a couple of other layers to what we want to try and do. 'I think overall as a camp, it's been a powerful one in terms of learning and educating in various ways.' Sometimes, the benefit of these trips — and difficult games — are seen only in hindsight. Soundings from the camp were positive through a whistle-stop tour, the social media dispatches underlining a tight-knit squad bonding further. Right now, it might seem pointless and meaningless to some, but the hope is that further spirit has developed and that the extended period together has been purposeful on the training pitch and in the classroom. The Belgium playoff is almost four months away, 116 days to be precise, but it will roll around quickly. The Red Flames, in Euro 2025 action over the coming weeks as Ireland watch from afar, will bring plenty more heat.


RTÉ News
an hour ago
- RTÉ News
Éamonn Fitzmaurice surprised by Jack O'Connor outburst
Éamonn Fitzmaurice was surprised by Kerry manager Jack O'Connor's decision to take aim at his team's detractors following their swashbuckling All-Ireland SFC quarter-final win over Armagh. The All-Ireland champions were sent packing from Croke Park as a devastating 15-minute spell in the second half saw Kerry reel off 14 points unanswered and ensure their passage to the last four despite some indifferent form this season. Addressing the media after the game, O'Connor lashed out at critics both inside and outside the county. "We were being portrayed as a one-man team," he said, while also appearing to have a swipe at Darragh Ó Sé in the Irish Times, who said there was an air of inevitability about Kerry exiting to Armagh at the quarter-final stage. "Dublin got beaten by Meath in the Leinster Championship and I didn't see any ex-Dublin players coming out slating the team or slating the management like we had down south in our county," he added. Speaking on the RTÉ GAA podcast, Fitzmaurice said given the nature of Kerry's performance, he was taken aback by O'Connor's comments. "I was surprised because generally after a win like that, Jack is effusive," he said. "I'd say on a human level he was hurt. I know he had a small bit of a nibble after the Cavan game last weekend, but he obviously decided this week that he was going to unleash the double barrel. "He had his say, and probably feels better for it today." Having entered the game as underdogs, Fitzmaurice, who led Kerry to Sam Maguire in 2014, says they're was much to enjoy from a Kerry perspective with a return to the capital in a fortnight to take on old foes Tyrone. "It was an amazing performance," he said. "The last few weeks, as it has turned out, has been good for them, because it has brought an edge out in them. "I was proud of the players and the approach of the management team. You could see what it meant to the players afterwards. "The trick now will be trying to get to that level again in two weeks' time." Watch the All-Ireland Camogie Championship quarter-finals with RTÉ Sport. Waterford v Clare on Saturday from 2.15pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player and Tipperary v Kilkenny on Sunday from 1.15pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Watch the All-Ireland Hurling Championship semi-finals with RTÉ Sport. Cork v Dublin on Saturday from 4.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player and Kilkenny v Tipperary on Sunday from 3.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow live blogs on and the RTÉ News app. Listen to commentaries on RTÉ Radio 1. Watch highlights on The Sunday Game at 10.15pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.