Brutal choice between sides in Galway (4)

I believe the answer is:

gory

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'brutal' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for gory that I've seen before include "Steeped in blood" , "Involving much blood" , "Involving much bloodshed" , "Horrific" , "Bloodstained" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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