'Struggling' Galway need to find a spark in order to overcome Armagh
Former Mayo captain Keith Higgins feels neighbours Galway need to find their "spark" if they are to defeat Armagh and keep their championship hopes alive.
Speaking on RTÉ's The Championship, Higgins cited the returning Damien Comer as being the potential level-raiser hiding in plain sight.
"From a Galway point of view, maybe he [Damien Comer] has a couple more weeks training done since coming on against Derry," said Higgins.
The Annaghdown clubman was an impact sub in the draw with Derry a fortnight ago, scoring one point from a mark. Now as Pádraic Joyce's men look to keep their season alive, Higgins believes Comer could be the saving grace.
"He might be a bit sharper, and you might get a bit more impact off him, but Galway just need to find some bit of a spark.
"If Galway could get some type of a result here, it could kickstart their season again", claimed the Mayo man.
Galway venture up to Kingspan Breffni Park to renew an old rivalry with a familiar foe. The Tribesmen were narrowly pipped by Armagh in last year's All Ireland Final, following a drawn group stage tie. A year prior went the same way in the group stage, while back in 2022, Matthew Tierney was the hero as Galway edged McGeeney's men on penalties in an epic encounter.
For Higgins, its finely poised to be another rip-roaring contest.
"This is the one that sticks out.
"There's been so much talk in the last couple of years in terms of the system and format and the lack of jeopardy, but we're looking at jeopardy here now for Galway. It's a huge game for them", Higgins told RTÉ.
"Looking back on the last couple of games, the second half of that Connacht final when Mayo pushed up on them, Dublin came to Salthill and pushed up on them and Derry really went at them up in Celtic Park a couple of weeks ago.
"I don't think Armagh will play that type of a game, they will be more inclined to sit back into their defensive shape, so it could suit Galway a small bit more", Higgins added.
"It will be a big test but it's great to see the jeopardy finally kicking in."
Galway enter the game knowing a win would keep them in the hunt for at least another week, whereas Armagh are guaranteed top spot and qualification for the All-Ireland quarter-finals courtesy of wins over Derry and Dublin.
However, if their four previous meetings in the last four years are anything to go by, Galway will need to be at their very best for 70 minutes in order to overcome the Orchard County.
Follow a live blog on the All-Ireland Football Championship on Saturday on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to updates on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1. Watch highlights on The Saturday Game at 9.30pm.
Watch an All-Ireland Football Championship double-header, Monaghan v Down and Donegal v Mayo, on Sunday from 1.30pm. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to updates on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1. Watch highlights on The Sunday Game at 9.30pm.
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