All-Ireland minor football glory is snatched from Galway’s grasp

THE anguish was written all over Donal Ó Fátharta’s face. In the bowels of the Cusack Stand just minutes after a heartbreaking loss for the Galway minor footballers, he had to scramble his thoughts for the assembled media pack.

The An Spideál clubman’s body language told its own story. He was aching inside and still trying to come to terms with an extra-time loss for his gallant teenagers after they had appeared on the brink of a terrific triumph.

Niall Cunningham’s goal in the 63rd minute had left Galway only seconds away from their first All-Ireland minor title in 12 years, but Cork captain Conor Corbett, who had tormented them all day, had still time to come to the Rebels’ rescue.

That deflating climax meant Galway were in an understandably poor mental shape for extra-time and with Cork’s superior physicality really beginning to tell, they had few answers over those additional 20 minutes.

Ó Fátharta made no effort to disguise the impact of defeat on the Galway dressing room he had just departed. Words like “distraught” and “devastation” summed up the prevailing mood. How could it be anything else.

“The boys are really numb, the way it happened. It’s difficult to take. I am devastated for our boys as we were very close. We had the winning of the game, but this is a quality Cork team.”

After Cunningham’s goal, the Galway minor manager admitted that it was looking really good for them. “One quick kick-out and we were a little exposed at the back. We were as good as them, but didn’t get over the line.”

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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