Following Galway’s fine victory over Mayo in yesterday’s Connacht GAA Football Championship quarter-final, their manager Padraic Joyce paid tribute to Kate Moran who tragically passed away last week while playing camogie.
The death of the 20-year-old shocked the entire GAA community, and Joyce’s words were a fitting tribute to the former Galway u16 and minor player.
“The whole thing about coming down today was to get a result. It makes me very proud of the lads for that because it was a difficult week in Galway.”
“A very emotional week with the loss of Kate Moran who went out playing a camogie game and didn’t come home. Our thoughts are foremost with her father Cathal and mother Mary and TJ [Brennan], her boyfriend. It is just harrowing and puts life in perspective.
“The two Kellys lost their grandmother as well on Saturday night so, look, we had a lot of emotion coming into the game and had to compose ourselves.
“At least that victory might give them an hour or two of solace. But we dedicate our victory to that wee girl.”
24 April 2022; Galway manager Padraic Joyce is congratulated by his daughter Ava after the Connacht GAA Football Senior Championship Quarter-Final match between Mayo and Galway at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park in Castlebar, Mayo. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Despite Galway’s impressive win, Joyce’s tribute was a reminder that the victory was insignificant in the wider context of the GAA, as his side advance to semi-finals where they will face Leitrim.
It was a win that Joyce and Galway badly needed, and the Galway manager also praised his player for their hard work.
"They have put a lot of work into Galway football the last two or three years and have had a lot of disappointments.
"Any day you can beat Mayo in Castlebar is a significant win.
"Today is a good day but we'll dust ourselves down now and get ready for Leitrim [in the semi-final] in two weeks’ time."
See Also: Pat Spillane Reckons Mayo Forwards Are Not Good Enough To Win An All-Ireland
