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Joyce just happy that Galway found a way against Derry

Galway manager Padraig Joyce congratulates his players after their win over Derry in Saturday's All-Ireland SFC semi-final at Croke Park Picture: Seamus Loughran.
Galway manager Padraig Joyce congratulates his players after their win over Derry in Saturday's All-Ireland SFC semi-final at Croke Park Picture: Seamus Loughran. Galway manager Padraig Joyce congratulates his players after their win over Derry in Saturday's All-Ireland SFC semi-final at Croke Park Picture: Seamus Loughran.

THERE is a sign in the Galway dressing room telling the players to “find a way” and manager Pádraic Joyce was happy his side carried the mantra into Saturday’s victory over Derry.

The Tribesmen averaged 2-17 across 14 games in all competitions this season, with Saturday’s 2-8 tally their joint lowest (with their League win over Clare) of the season.

“You are not always going to win a game by kicking 2-19 or 2-20, the most pleasing part is the lads did find a way,” Joyce said.

The two-time All-Ireland winner was happy how Galway held a “brilliant” Derry side to six points, something he said was a “tremendous” achievement.

Joyce has “no problems” with Hawkeye and backed the GAA to get it “ironed out” after it disallowed a point when referee Brendan Cawley and officials had initially awarded Shane Walsh’s 45 before half-time.

The point was reinstated at the break, leaving the sides level at 0-4 all before Galway’s decisive 12-minute spell that saw them bit 1-3 without reply.

“We were a little slow getting going ourselves, we were lacking energy,” Joyce said of their first half offering, referring how his players were struggling to get their “second wind” on an “extremely” humid evening.

“In the second half, we said we would be a bit more brave, show a bit more energy going forward. In fairness we did.

“The goal then was a crucial turning point by Damien [Comer]. He turned his man [Brendan Rogers] really, really well. It was a great ball in by John Daly, he turned and stuck it really, really well.

“From then on we were five or six points up with a cushion, it was easier to manage the game.”

Galway had shipped three goals as Armagh dug their way back into the quarter-final win and Joyce did wonder if they’d face the same onslaught against Rory Gallagher’s side.

“We were compact at the back but Derry have a very specific gameplan,” Joyce said. “They don't really kick in high ball, but at the same time, we thought they might put in Emmett Bradley or Conor Glass and stick in a few.

“We don't have a problem with the high ball. The problem the last day was fellas weren't talking (against Armagh). They tuned out watching the ball instead of watching their man.”

It's a first final for Galway since Joyce kicked 10 points in their 2001 win over Meath, benefiting from the first year of the Qualifiers after losing to Roscommon in Connacht.

“You look at history and Dublin and Kerry are way ahead, but Galway are actually the third most successful team in football in the country.

“People might say we’ve had the easier side of the draw, all this kind of stuff, but look, we are there on merit.”