Cause for excitement out west as Colm Parkinson makes bold Galway claim

The deed has been done. The words have been uttered.

Sunday at Pearse Stadium and the first step on a journey that could lead to All-Ireland glory by 2019. It might sound unlikely right now but The Tribesmen have assembled a damn fine squad for 2016 and they are targeting Allianz League success as the perfect kick-start. Ahead of Galway's league opener against Cork, GAA Hour host Colm Parkinson revealed why they are his dark-horses for this year, next year and, while he is at it, the one after that. Parkinson had a look through their FBD team and noted the names of some decent players - Cillian McDaid, Johnny Heeney, Sean Armstrong, Barry McHugh, Michael Daly, David Walsh, Johnny Duane [back from New York], Shane Walsh, Eamonn Brannigan, Daniel Comer, Danny Cummins, Michael Lundy, Cathal Silke, Gary Sice.

"This is an unbelievable squad Galway are building up," he declared.

Former Armagh forward Stevie McDonnell expects Galway will have learned from "absolutely blowing up" in their All-Ireland quarter final defeat to Tipperary last year. Parkinson took up the running and, by his own admission, may have got carried away. He said:

"They're on the same trajectory as Tyrone. They won their provincial title, didn't do as well as they would have wanted but do you remember Donegal back in 2011? They won Ulster and lost to Dublin in their semi-final but used it as a springboard and said, 'Right, this is where we are and this is what we need to do. We got a taste of success last year but we're going to bring it to the next level'. "This is what I see with Galway and Tyrone. They're on an upward trajectory, with their squads and age profile. "I think Galway are going to win their division. I think Galway are going to win an All-Ireland in the next three years - I'm going to go that far." 

McDonnell was not so convinced and Conan Doherty rowed in behind him, declaring that Tyrone won 'a good provincial competition'. "Face facts," remarked McDonnell, "Ulster is clearly the best province." That may be a valid argument but Dublin are the best team and one suspects Tyrone and Galway will have to get by them to justify Parkinson's faith and claim the Sam Maguire.