Padraic Joyce is concerned about Galway’s long injury list going into the Connacht SFC.

Speaking after his side lost to Kerry but avoided relegation from Division 1 of the Allianz Football League, the Galway manager cast doubt over the availability of key men such as Shane Walsh, Sean Kelly, Damien Comer and Cillian McDaid for the provincial quarter-final against London in a fortnight’s time.

“They have serious injuries,” he pointed out.

“They’ve hamstring injuries, some of them, they’ve tendon injuries, they’re big injuries. You take Mattie, Shane, Damien, Cillian McDaid, four serious players. You take four of the best players out of Kerry, Dublin, Mayo, these top teams, you’ll soon see where they end up as well. It is what it is.”

Joyce added: “It’s been a frustrating league but, at the same time, the lads can be very proud of staying in Division 1, with the team that’s in it, based on the panel of players that was available to us.

“We got great time into a lot of the young fellas, Patrick Egan, Jack McCabe, Liam Ó Conghaile, Cillian Ó Curraoin, those lads, and the positive is that Johnny McGrath is becoming one of the best corner-backs in the country.

“Sean Fitzgerald is nailing down his spot at full-back, John Maher is probably becoming an out-and-out box-to-box midfielder, with great energy out there. There are a few green shoots to work with.”

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