THERE was an uninvited guest on RTE’s half-time analysis of Galway vs Armagh – with a nod/beak to July’s All-Ireland final between them.
Tomás Ó’Sé and Peter Canavan were exposed to the elements throughout Galway’s 1-12 to 0-9 victory as they set up pitchside.
An injured seagull strolled around the Croke Park pitch for 24 minutes last July[/caption]
Clearly there were no hard feelings on Ó’Sé’s part[/caption]
Marty Morrissey seemed to appreciate the stunt too[/caption]
But that meant they were also exposed to spectators who fancied being seen as well as heard.
And harking back to July’s altogether better weather conditions, one punter chanced joining them for a moment while wearing an homage to a memorable cameo during the All-Ireland decider.
He momentarily posed alongside Kerry legend Ó’Sé before slinking back towards his seat having made his mark to those watching on TV.
It was all a bit surreal but we imagine whomever it was under that mask is delighted to have pulled off their moment of gull-ory.
The most consequential moment of the evening though came post-match when Kieran McGeeney revealed star player Rian O’Neill is taking a break from his panel that could last ‘months’.
The Armagh boss explained: “He’s taking a bit of time out for himself at the minute.
“I don’t know whether it’s weeks or months. We said we’d give it to him.”
Asked if O’Neill will be involved this season, McGeeney said: “When it’s personal, I try not to ask any questions.
“He was in for a while and he’s training. He’s just taking a bit of time for himself. That’s it.”
The 2002 All-Ireland winning captain also bemoaned their lack of discipline for having cost them on the night.
He added: “Silly stuff like discipline cost us dearly. It cost us about 1-2 and with no need for it.”
About ten minutes from the final whistle being blown Niall Grimley was shown a straight red card which personified McGeeney’s point.
Despite the ball being dead, Grimley punched his counterpart in the stomach and was duly given his marching orders after his infraction was spotted by the linesman.
A home game against Ulster rivals Tyrone on Saturday is next on the agenda for Armagh as the Sam Maguire holders look to get their 2025 off the ground.
Galway meanwhile, will have a fierce provincial battle of their own in Mayo on Sunday.
Tribe chief Pádraic Joyce added: “I wouldn’t be happy with a lot of stuff.
“We missed a good few there at the end, probably two or three good goal chances, a few scores when we were maybe just over-elaborating a bit too much.
“But it’s the first game of the league and I’d be very, very happy if someone told me this morning that we’d beat Armagh and get two points.”
