SEVEN FORMER GALWAY intercounty players will line out for London this weekend as they attempt to get one over on their home county.
As Galway go in search of their first provincial title since 2008 this year, how many of these lads could they still do with?
1. Mark Gottsche
The German born, Oranmore club man represented his county at all grades before moving to London four years ago. Gottsche was named footballer of the month last May for his outstanding performances for London.
The bustling midfielder played minor and U21 for Galway as well as featuring for their senior side, predominantly in the 2008 national football league. He is now employed as the secretary of the London GAA county board.
2. Adrian Flaherty
The Claregalway goalkeeper made his county senior debut in 2008 in an FBD league game against Sligo. He went on to become a regular in the side for the next four years.
Flaherty lost a Connacht minor final in 2006 for the tribesmen against Roscommon. He made his London debut in this year’s league against Waterford.
3. Paul Geraghty
Paul Geraghty is another man to have represented Galway at all grades. The engineer moved to London in 2008.
He won a Connacht minor medal for Galway, two U21 provincial medals, and he had been involved in the Galway senior side from 2005 until he left for the English capital. A year later, in 09′, the Glenamaddy midfielder captained London against Galway in Ruislip.
4. Damien Dunleavy
Damien Dunleavy was a star of the Galway U21 All-Ireland winning team in 2005. He also played minor and U21 football for the county but his career has been riddled with injuries.
In 2011 he moved from Kilkerrin/Clonberne to London, where he has been an integral part of their team since. He scored a point form centre forward in last year’s Connacht final.
5. Cathal O’Neill
Cathal has joined up with his brother Eoin in the London panel this year. The tricky corner forward played for Galway at minor and U21 level.
In 2010 he was corner forward on the Galway minor team which reached the Connacht final. He will certainly strengthen Paul Coggins’ forward line for this year’s championship.
6. Eoin O’Neill
Eoin scored two points from wing forward against Leitrim in last year’s Connacht championship semi-final.
The Renvyle forward now plays with Tir Chonaill Gaels as he works as an electrician in the city.
7. Stephen Walsh
The Caherlistrane club man moved to London two years ago, although due to injuries this will be his first year in with the London panel.
Walsh lined out at corner back for the opening round of this year’s league in Aughrim. He played for the Galway U21′s in 2007, alongside the likes of Sean Armstrong and Eddie Hoare. After some excellent club form in 2010 he had been touted for the senior side, although he moved to London where he works as an engineer.
