Antrim captain Aodhán Gallagher insisted his side always believed they could beat Galway in their All-Ireland Senior Football Championship second round qualifier at Casement Park.
The home side showed great composure and resolve to score two points in injury time and register a 0-11 to 0-10 win over a lacklustre Galway outfit.
“We knew coming in we had a great chance," Gallagher told RTÉ’s Adrian Eames. “Galway played really well against Roscommon, but we looked at how they played against Sligo and we thought that this was a team we could get at."
Gallagher added: “We started well in the first half, and we were happy enough to come in only one point down at half-time. Although it may not have looked like it, there was a great breeze against us.
“We, maybe, did not make the most of the breeze in the second half, but a one-point win is a one-point win and we’re into the next round.”
The St Gall’s clubman believes the win over a team of the stature of Galway was the culmination of a lot of hard work, but the Saffrons are determined to use it as a starting block rather than a podium.
“We knew from the beginning that we were very strong, and we have proved over the last few years that we are there or thereabouts," added Gallagher.
"It’s about time we delivered on that, and hopefully we showed today that we are nearly there.
“Games like this are what make the GAA the thing that it is. There are 34 teams and anybody can beat anybody.
“Watching that game is a great advertisement for our game, and hopefully the summer will continue the way it has for us so far.”
