GAA: Tribesmen know the big prizes don't get handed out until September; NFL FINAL: Galway v Kerry, Croke Pk WALSH WANTS AN ALL-IRELAND.

Byline: PAUL KEANE 

KEVIN Walsh has been around the block more times than he cares to remember and he's never seen an All-Ireland title presented on May 2.

As far as Galway's veteran talisman is concerned, winning the league would be great but the championship is where they will be judged.

One bookmaker moved quickly to cut Galway's All-Ireland price to 5/1 after their semi-final defeat of Tyrone.

After two seasons of underachievement and defeats to Kerry and Donegal in successive All-Ireland quarter-finals, it appears that punters are banking on Galway again.

Boss John O'Mahony has his loyal servants still in place with Walsh, currently sidelined, playing some great stuff and the likes of Padraic Joyce and Michael Donnellan flying.

The problem is that two All-Ireland quarter-final defeats in a row have tempered any over optimism on Galway's part.

Doing well in February, March and April is all very well but Sam Maguire will remain in Tyrone until September.

"At the end of the day it's still only early May," stressed the two time All-Ireland winner. "There's a big difference between what happens in early May and even July.

"I'd be aware that things are looking good for us and there's a great spring in the step.

"Beating Tyrone was a big thing for this Galway team but in terms of slashing our odds for the championship it's far too early for that."

And Walsh even admitted that beating Tyrone wasn't perhaps the hugely significant result it was painted to be.

He explained: "Over Tyrone's last three games they've been poor, there's no denying that.

"They drew with Cork, just about beat Kerry without scoring in the second-half and then we beat them.

"The most pleasing thing from my point of view is that we were well down at one stage and still came back to win.

"The body language is good right now and while that doesn't win you silverware it can only be a good thing."

The giant midfielder believes that Galway will be able to up their game for a third weekend in a row to face Kerry.

It's an old rivalry with plenty of baggage from their championship encounters in 2000 and 2002 but he reckons Galway have the mental fortitude to come good.

"Fatigue won't be a problem in my opinion," said Walsh. "I think a lot of it could be between the ears for the lads.

"Trying to stay mentally focussed after those big games against Tyrone will be the difficult part but I'm sure they can do it.

"John O'Mahony will have them all tuned in as usual and they'll be up for this one."

Galway's hopes of claiming just their fifth league title and their first since 1981 have been hit by the absence of Walsh.

The 35-year-old was ready to play some part against Tyrone last weekend but he broke his toe again in training and is now focussing on returning for their championship opener against London in four weeks.

Still, in many ways the league is just a bonus and Walsh admitted they have been lucky even to get this far.

"If we had been beaten by Cavan in our final Division 1B game we could have even been relegated," he noted.

"There was a point with a few minutes to go in the game where, if results stayed the same elsewhwere, we would have not qualified.

"Everything has to be put in context. We had a significant slice of luck in the league."

Walsh reckons too much was made of their losses to Meath and Wexford.

"As far as the Meath game goes we should have beaten them and the Wexford match was a wipeout," he said. "Wexford was one of those days."

Thankfully for Galway such days have been few.

Over the last two weekends at Omagh and Pearse Stadium, Galway have turned on the style.

Galway meet Kerry in one of the game's great new rivalries. "I'm expecting a very tight game between two sides who like to play football," said Walsh.

"From our point of view we'd love to keep the good run going before the championship.

"To be honest we were indifferent at times against Tyrone but when the questions were asked we stuck with it.

"That's what I expect to see from us against Kerry."

Galway's recent league record against Kerry is impressive with wins in each of their last three games.

Kerry in turn have been hit by the suspension of midfielder Darragh O Se and the possibility that ace forward Declan O'Sullivan could be ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Walsh added: "Kerry have looked very impressive but this is a one off now at Croke Park and the winner will be who wants it the most.

"We've always had great games in the past with very little between us. If it's much different this time I'd be surprised."

CAPTION(S):

DRIVING ON: Kevin Walsh may be sidelined through injury, but he's not sitting on the fence