Mike Quirke: Galway looked so impressive. If you are looking at potential All-Ireland winners…
A statement win. Galway cruised to a nine-point triumph in the Connacht semi-final against Roscommon.
For former Kerry footballer and coach Mike Quirke, there were so many signs of strength in Salthill.
'Galway to me looked so impressive,' he said, speaking on the Irish Examiner's Gaelic football podcast.
'If you are looking at potential All-Ireland winners, obviously they have been in the mix for the last number of years, I just thought they just looked so impressive yesterday.
"I was thinking Roscommon would make a game of it and be a little more competitive than they were, but their power around the middle. Their fielding.
'Cein D'Arcy is 6'4 or 6'5. He is a good athlete, he gets off the floor, if he is not in midfield, now he is swooping in off a wing-back who isn't comfortable in that position. He had a massive All-Ireland final too.
'I think they are so impressive around the middle of the field. That is an area that will go a long way to dictating, you talk about defensive structure, it is so hard to defend in this new setup.
"I was watching closely what Kerry were doing last Saturday night, how they shifted across two-thirds of the field and push out as much as they can.
'It is just so difficult, if you have a guy who can break a tackle and penetrate the middle, all bets are off after that.'
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Imperious Galway stroll into Connacht decider where old rivals Mayo lie in wait
Next up for the Connacht champions is Mayo in Castlebar. They travel in search of their first provincial four-in-a-row since 1966. Kevin McStay's side can't afford to make the same mistakes that Roscommon did.
Galway ruled the skies in Pearse Stadium. Paul Conroy kicked five points, including two two-pointers, against a deep defence.
'Going after them, it sounds high risk, (but) let's go and compete. Do you have guys who can compete in the air with Paul Conroy, John Maher, Sean Kelly, D'Arcy? These fellas are incredibly good in the air and dynamic on the floor. They can all run.'
He continued: 'I'm not sure you can actually out-defend Galway? I'm not sure it will work if you sit deep. You have to be braver. Be more competitive around the middle, win ball at source. In slow plays now, they can hurt you.
"They have developed a few bits and pieces where they can slow it down for 90 seconds, two minutes and still get quality shots off. They seem really comfortable in all phases of play.'
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