Galway ace Shane Walsh says he is relishing this Sunday’s All-Ireland SFC preliminary quarter-final against Down in Newry where he expects a hostile environment for the visitors.

Walsh struck the winning free as the Padraic Joyce’s side defeated All-Ireland champions Armagh last weekend to earn their place in the last 12 of the Sam Maguire Cup race and pulled the Mourne men out of the hat on Monday morning.

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s showdown at Pairc Esler, the Kilmacud Crokes clubman said he’s looking forward to the occasion where both teams’ season will be on the line.

"I know Down manager Conor Laverty is a gent off the field, but when it comes to football, he's very serious about winning. You know exactly what way he is going to create his atmosphere in Down this weekend," Walsh is quoted saying by BBC Sport NI.

"You embrace that because the more hostile environments - and it tends to be that way when you go across the border with the crowd involved a lot more - makes for a better atmosphere.

"When the game is in the melting pot, you can hear every breath from every supporter."

On the Connacht champions’ come from behind victory over Armagh last Saturday, Walsh added: "It didn't look good at half-time, but Padraic got behind us and demanded a bit more from us. We came out firing in the second half and thankfully so, because if things had stayed the same, we wouldn't be here today."

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