Padraic Joyce felt Galway’s involvement in a number of tight games this summer helped to get them across the line against Donegal.

The Tribesmen finished the stronger at Croke Park to set up a novel All-Ireland SFC final against Armagh in two weeks’ time after little or nothing had separated the sides up until then.

“I think we were a more battle-hardened team coming down the stretch,” the Galway manager told reporters.

“If you look at the games we played – Mayo in the Connacht final, the Sligo game in the Connacht semi-final obviously we were in trouble but we found a way to win it, and then we have had Derry, Armagh, Westmeath, Dublin the last day.

“Whereas Donegal, the last two games, they have coasted through probably Clare and Louth easier than they would have liked.”

Joyce acknowledged that it was a game of fine margins.

“Both teams went at it. The first half was fantastic. It was 1-7 to 0-10 at half-time and Donegal kicked some great scores. Our lads worked the ball well inside and I just thought it was a brilliant game,” he continued.

“You couldn't take your eyes off it for a moment or make a mistake because you'd be punished. I was happy enough to get out on the right side of it because it could have gone any way at the end.

“We know that, we get that, but I just thought our lads were probably a little bit more mature and we're probably further down the track than Donegal as a developing side. Donegal have come an awful long way from where they were 12 months ago. Fair play to Jim (McGuinness), the county board and the boys.

“But it was Galway's day and we move on to the final in two weeks' time."

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