“Heart goes out” to Armagh – Joyce

Galway manager Padraig Joyce was unhappy with how Sunday’s All-Ireland quarter final finished after the game was decided by penalties.

The two-time All-Ireland winner said his “heart goes out” to Armagh as “it’s no way to lose”

The game ended all square due to Rian O’Neill’s amazing, long-range effort at the end of full time.

The sides couldn’t be separated after extra time either and the game had to be decided with a penalty shootout.

Galway won the spot kick competition thanks to goals from Shane Walsh, Damien Comer, Rob Finnerty and Matthew Tierney.

“It’s no way to lose a match”

“My heart does go out to Kieran McGeeney and the Armagh team and supporters because it’s no way to lose a match or to play a match, a quarter final.

“We’re condensing this season into six or seven months which is crazy to be honest. Both sets of players, Galway and Armagh, have trained flat out since last December.”

Joyce echoed the views of Kieran McGeeney when it came to praising the Armagh fans that travelled in huge numbers to Croke Park to support the team.

The 2001 Player of the Year pointed to the colour and the support that the Armagh faithful brought to the game.

“Let’s call a spade a spade, that’s no way to lose a match. While we’ll take the victory, my heart goes out to them because they added great colour and great support and it’s not the way to do it.

“It’s something the GAA need to look at. We’re not soccer, penalties is for soccer, it’s not for GAA in my eyes.

“Look it, fair play to the Armagh players and the Galway players that took the penalties and the two keepers. But it’s a pure lottery what happens.”

Padraig Joyce disagreed with how the game ended
Photo Credit: John Merry