The 2024 All-Ireland championship kicked off in McGovern Park, Ruislip on Saturday afternoon as London host reigning Connacht champions Galway. For what many to believe to be the first time ever, two men from the same parish captained two different sides in a Championship game.
Moycullen native Eoin Walsh leads London into battle, and he’ll shake hands with Galway skipper and fellow parish colleague Sean Kelly when the pair meet in the middle of the field for the coin toss.
The point was raised by David Wynne on Twitter and the consensus in the replies was that this had never occurred in GAA history.
First time ever in the history of the GAA the captains of two Counties playing against each other in Championship are from the same Parish ??? Sean Kelly Vs Eoin Walsh. @maighcuilinn @Galway_GAA @LondainGAA #galwayvslondon pic.twitter.com/Nun5n0RI5Z
— David Wynne (@DavidWy08468671) April 5, 2024
Walsh is one of two Galway men currently on the London panel along with substitute goalkeeper Andrew Walsh, who guarded the goals for Michael Maher’s men in their historic one-point win over Mayo in the FBD League at the start of the year.
An u21 All-Ireland winner with Galway back in 2013, Walsh was part of a team that were backboned by current stars such as Damian Comer and Shane Walsh and he has been part of the London setup since 2018.
Comer and Walsh, Galway’s two best forwards of recent times, haven’t been named to start tomorrow’s game as an injury-stricken Galway make the trip over to London without the services of vice-captain Matthew Tierney and 2022 All-Star Cillian McDaid as well.
7 January 2024; Aaron McDonnell of Mayo in action against Eoin Walsh of London during the Connacht FBD League quarter-final match between Mayo and London at University of Galway Connacht GAA AirDome in Bekan, Mayo. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile
Walsh lined out for the Exiles at wing half back last season when they lost to Sligo in the opening round of the Connacht by 14 points but was handed the skippers armband this year, taking over from Liam Gavaghan.
London finished second from bottom in Division Four, gaining a total of three-points from their seven outings with their only victory coming against Waterford, who finished below them, while London also earned a draw against Tipperary.
Galway captain Sean Kelly, who featured in an All-Ireland u21 final defeat against Dublin in 2017, broke onto the senior panel during Kevin Walsh’s tenure in 2018 and was made captain by Padraic Joyce in 2022.
See also: Brutally Honest Padraic Joyce Interview Highlights Galway's Plight Perfectly
In his first year as captain, Kelly led the Tribesmen to the All-Ireland final and after a dramatic shootout between Shane Walsh and David Clifford, it was Kerry who came out on top and captured the Sam Maguire.
This season, the Moycullen defender has been one of a number of star players that were in and out of Galway’s Division One campaign as they survived the dreaded drop by finishing above Roscommon and Monaghan.
In and out
Kelly has been named to start this weekend, partnering Paul Conroy at midfield, and it will prove to be only his second start of the season having been plagued by injuries right throughout the entire league.
🚨TEAM NEWS🚨
The Galway Senior Football team to face London in @ConnachtGAA Senior Football Championship QF on Saturday is announced🔽
Best of Luck to Pádraic Joyce, Team Management & our Senior Footballers as Championship season gets underway !#riseofthetribes#gaillimhabú pic.twitter.com/REWQ1fprP4— Galway GAA Official (@Galway_GAA) April 4, 2024
The Galway skipper started against Monaghan in round five, scoring a point from midfield, and made substitute appearances against both Tyrone and Derry but was sidelined for the first two and last two games of the league.
25 February 2024; Sean Kelly of Galway in action against Paul Cassidy of Derry during the Allianz Football League Division 1 match between Galway and Derry at Pearse Stadium in Galway. Photo by Ray Ryan/Sportsfile
With so many men missing action throughout the early part of the season, Joyce was forced to field some fresh and inexperienced players that have put their hands up for selection and performed admirably.
Young players such as Cillian Ó Curraoin, Liam Ó Conghaile, Jack McCabe and Patrick Egan have all grabbed their chances with both hands and both Ó Curraoin and Ó Conghaile have earned starts tomorrow.
It’s five years since Galway took on London in the championship and if that day is anything to go by, then the Tribesmen will know they’re not going to have an easy ride and that their mentality will have to be right.
While they emerged victorious in the opening round of the 2019 Connacht championship, London certainly gave them their fill of it and only four-points separated the sides when the referee sounded the full-time whistle.
It was a big day for Galway as they shot out to a big lead and held London to three first half points. It was also a big day for Moycullen, especially during the coin toss.
A proud & historic moment for @maighcuilinn - providing both captains for today’s clash!! @LondainGAA @StKiernansGAA @officialgaa @Galway_GAA @hoganstandgaa @RTEgaa 📸Damian Dolan pic.twitter.com/74bm9dWxZ2
— the Irish World (@theirishworld) April 6, 2024
