Shane Walsh on Armagh defeat, that free kick and “redeeming himself”

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"Unfortunately I didn't execute it, that's down to me alone."

Shane Walsh joined the GAA Hour in studio and reflected on Galway's defeat to Armagh, that free kick that he missed, and "redeeming himself" next weekend. It was a brilliant game that had so much drama packed into it, much like when the two teams met in last year's quarter final in Croke Park. On that occasion the Tribesmen came out on top, winning on penalties, but on Sunday, it was Armagh who edged it, winning by a single point. At the death, with game well over injury time, the Connacht champions had a free kick from a difficult angle to get a draw from the game. Walsh stood up to take it, as he had done on so many big occasions before, however, it wasn't to be for the Kilmacud Crokes forward, as his shot just sailed wide. Speaking exclusively on the GAA Hour podcast, Walsh reflects on the game and how they plan to bounce back.

"Like any game you have to review things, things went wrong for us at the end of the day, there was a point in it yesterday, and games can go like that.

"We had games like that last year when it did go our way, and unfortunately yesterday we were on the wrong end of it, when we had been on the right end of it before.

"These are the kind of moments in games that come about, and that's what people want to see as well, when things get tense towards the end of a game. "Obviously a free was there to be taken, unfortunately I didn't execute it, that's down to me alone in that regard, but look it's a game of football, we need to pick ourselves up.

"We have next week to look forward to, we're still in the championship, it's very rare that you lose a championship game and your still there, so we just have to plow on now." With the preliminary quarter finals set for this weekend, Walsh will be back out in a Galway jersey in less than a week from the Armagh defeat. The turnaround is quick, but it gives them an opportunity to right the wrong, as they prepare to play Mayo in a mouthwatering clash.

"It's a chance to redeem myself firstly, and I know the lads will be on the same boat, everyone will just row in to get the result next weekend. "We planned for every eventuality, that's part of the management, that's what they've been good at doing all the way along, no matter what way anything was going to fall.

"We were fully prepared that we could be finishing even third yesterday, if results had went different ways, so that's just it. "The positive is, we have a home draw in Pearse Stadium which is huge boost to be back in front of your own supporters again, but now it's about getting back on the horse, reviewing the game yesterday, get the bodies right and get ready to go again.

"Went for a swim today, doing little things like that, it comes down to the small percentages now and who does the best in this time frame, because the window is short.

"The National League kind of gives yo the resemblance of what it is like now, where you have a couple of games in a short space of time, and it's great in one way, but obviously we have to be mindful of where bodies are at when trying to manage player's loads and that. "You do kind of have a good template built up for the National League." SURE 72 HR NON-STOP PROTECTION. TESTED TO THE LIMITS. SURE, IT WON’T LET YOU DOWN Related links:

• The GAA Hour: Shane Walsh in studio, Kildare spirit, James McEntee's incredible feat
• "He looked disinterested" Colm Cooper critical of Shane Walsh performance
• Shane Walsh serenaded in Kilmacud Crokes clubhouse after late-night treatment

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