THREE COROFIN ALL-Ireland winners have linked up with the Galway senior squad in the wake of their St Patrick’s Day triumph but three players from the club have declined the opportunity to be part of Kevin Walsh’s championship plans.
Walsh confirmed yesterday that goalkeeper Bernard Power, wing-back Kieran Molloy and corner-forward Ian Burke have all come on board as Galway build up to their Connacht opener against Mayo on 13 May.
Power and Burke both started in Galway’s All-Ireland quarter-final loss to Kerry last year with Burke chipping in with 0-5. Molloy was part of the Galway U21 side that reached the 2017 All-Ireland decider with all three players excelling as Corofin collected a second All-Ireland crown in four seasons in March.
“There’s three at the minute. There was six invited in but three, between going to America and different things, chose not to so there’s three in at the minute. The three is Ian Burke, Kieran Molloy and Bernard Power.”
Walsh declined to name the Corofin players who decided not to become involved for the summer ahead.
“Ah no, I’m happy enough to leave it the way it is,” stated the Galway boss.
Liam Silke, who started in defence for Galway last summer, had explained last week his decision to go to the USA this summer. Michael Farragher was another Corofin player to feature for Galway last year in the championship.
After a successful spring that saw Galway contest the Division 1 league final, Walsh admits it will be difficult for the Corofin players to force their way back into contention and is happy with their injury situation.
“It’s a big bonus to get the three boys back but like everybody else they’ve to fight for their places and there mightn’t be as many weeks as there was in the years gone by with the championship brought forward by four or five weeks. It’s on top of us before we know it but the boys are working hard.
“Obviously there’ll be one or two challenge matches along the way, there’s in house stuff going on so whoever we feel is up to the task, will get the chance.
“There’s a few niggles at the minute but as of now there’s nobody out. Two or three people that we’re just hoping will recover from one or two small things. But nothing officially out long term.”
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