Galway are on their guard

Date Published: 16-Jun-2010

STEPHEN GLENNON

GALWAY manager John McIntyre has warned that Galway must “be on their guard” when they face his former charges Offaly in the Leinster senior hurling semi-final at Croke Park this Sunday (4pm).

Having spent two terms in charge of the Faithful County – in 1996/’97 and between 2004 to 2007 – McIntyre is more than qualified to talk about the strengths and weaknesses of Offaly hurling. Indeed, it is a county, he says, that he still holds much admiration for.

“Obviously, I still have a soft spot for Offaly hurling,” says McIntyre. “They are a proud hurling county and I have huge regard for their players and supporters. I am not the first manager, though, who finds himself in this position and I won’t be the last, but my complete focus is on helping Galway to achieve what they are capable of.”

Of course, McIntyre already came face to face with his former charges in both the Walsh Cup and National Hurling League earlier this year, with the Tribesmen claiming a hard fought victory in the latter competition on a scoreline of 1-22 to 1-18. He knows Offaly will be no pushovers. “We are not taking them for granted.“

They got the best of everything in their opening game against Antrim. They were five points down, playing into the wind and reduced to 14 men, and they showed lots of character to pull it out of the fire. They will believe that they have no reason to fear Galway. Our attitude, though, is the key to getting a result on Sunday.”

Galway did struggle somewhat with the overwhelming favourite’s tag that they were burdened with going into the Wexford game, and, consequently, they were unable to produce as fluid a performance as they did in the superb League final victory over Cork.

However, the management team of McIntyre, Joe Connolly, John Hardiman and John Moylan will hope for a more authoritative display on this occasion, although it will be interesting to see just what adjustments will be made to an attack that spurned so many scoring chances first day out when they named the team later this evening (Thursday).

Of course, Galway will be without suspended wing-forward Andy Smith for this one, but other than that enforced change, it is unlikely that the management will tinker too much with the side that defeated Wexford 2-22 to 1-14 in the provincial quarter-final.

As a result, Colm Callanan – one of the heroes of that win – will retain his place in goal, with Damien Joyce, Shane Kavanagh and Ollie Canning to resume their cohesive full-back partnership. In the half-back line, so effective against the Model County, Donal Barry, Tony Óg Regan and David Collins should once again get the nod.

While Ger Farragher – who shot 0-13 of his side’s tally last day out – and St. Thomas’ David Burke will continue their midfield partnership, the management may look to tweak the attack, at least positionally, after the Tribesmen tallied those 17 wides against Wexford.

Already, a suitable replacement will have to be found for suspended left half-forward Smith, with Iarla Tannian, Aonghus Callanan, Eanna Ryan and Niall Healy all vying for this position. Another option would be to move centre-half forward Cyril Donnellan to the wing and deploy Damien Hayes in the central role.