Early blitz from All-Ireland champs lays foundation for terrific replay win

WITH this year’s Leinster final now consigned away to the history books and the Bob O’Keefe Cup returned safely west of the Shannon, the Galway hurlers find themselves in the dream position of looking forward to an All-Ireland semi-final in over a fortnight’s time.

Two stern examinations from Kilkenny have been safely manoeuvred and with no major injuries to report, all eyes can now turn towards getting prepared for a return to Croke Park.

The physical and mental toll these past two weekends will have taken on players cannot be underestimated, but thankfully from a Galway point of view, time is on their side, unlike their vanquished foes from Noreside who must attempt to get to the pitch of battle once more this Sunday against Limerick, back in Thurles.

It’s always a sweet feeling to come out on top in a replay, particularly against an arch rival like Kilkenny and while Galway were made sweat at times, the Tribesmen were far superior for the majority of the game and in the aftermath of the game, both managers reflected on their sides contrasting fortunes in the opening half as the crucial period.

“We got off to a massive start,” an exuberant Galway manager Micheal Donoghue said. “We knew after last week we had to try impose our own game on it and they did that brilliantly, but testament to Kilkenny they came back in total Kilkenny fashion. It was some game and some game for us to win.

“(It was a) hard week last week after the game you know, hugely intense, physical and it was hard come back in the week but as long as I’m involved with these boys I keep saying it, they’re an unbelievable bunch to work with you know, their commitment, desire, and they totally understand the responsibility that goes with wearing that jersey.”

In the losing dressing room, Kilkenny manager Brian Cody bemoaned his side’s poor opening half but heaped praise on his charges for a valiant second half display as they now look to pick up the pieces for another monumental challenge this weekend.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.