Galway camp left desolate after enduring sixth consecutive final defeat

TRYING and failing is more commendable than not trying at all. But anyone attempting to convince the Galway senior hurlers of the virtues of taking part, as opposed to winning, would have had a hard sell last Sunday.

No, All-Ireland final day is all about winning. Nothing else matters.

Over an hour had passed since Kilkenny captain Joey Holden held aloft the Liam McCarthy Cup underneath the Hogan Stand and proposed the obligatory (well intentioned but patronising) three cheers of ‘hip-hip-hurray’ for the vanquished.

Outside the Galway dressing room, in the bowels of Croke Park, a few stragglers emerged, each one more despondent looking than the last.

Most of the squad and backroom team had exited the dressing room earlier while manager Anthony Cunningham’s press conference was in full swing – they had retired to the players’ lounge, taking solace among family.

Bag-man Tex Callahan, loading up a van with kit, cut a solemn figure. County Board chairman Noel Treacy was putting a brave face on things, shaking hands, accepting condolences.

Out came Cyril Donnellan who appeared desolate. Next up was Portumna duo, captain Andy Smyth and Joe Canning – grief etched on their faces. Midfielder David Burke looked shell-shocked still.

Talking to press was the last thing the Galway players wanted to do . . . losing is wretched enough without having to explain it. It was too soon for post-mortems; too raw.

Kilkenny claiming All-Ireland titles in September is almost as certain as death and taxes . . . and yet somehow we’re surprised because this time we thought it would be different.

Following the remarkable one-point win over Tipperary in the semi-final three weeks’ previous, confidence in the Galway camp was high, and expectations outside of it were even higher.

That’s one reason why Galway’s sixth All-Ireland final defeat since their last win in 1988 is harder to take. This was supposed to be Galway’s year.

Hill 16 was aching for a Galway win. Heck, the whole nation – well 31 counties – yearned for a Galway victory. Galway needed it. Hurling needed it. The country needed it.

But Kilkenny don’t do sentiment, and can nearly always be relied on to spoil a party.

As black and amber streamers poured from the sky, and fireworks shot into the air, Kilkenny supporters were heading for the turnstiles.

Why wait, sure haven’t they seen it all before, they said, shrugging their shoulders. How long will it take for them to forget this triumph – they’re so used to winning, it seems the matches they lose are the only ones that stick out anymore.

On the field, Kilkenny players shook hands, chatted among themselves, coolly and calmly, like they would have done had they just won a Walsh Cup match in January. No big deal; they’re used to winning.

Had Galway won, Croke Park would have erupted. The city and county would have gone stone-mad; it’d have lifted the West of Ireland out of recession. For Kilkenny, it’s just another medal to add to the collection of All-Ireland medals. Winning they’re good at. Celebrating? Not so much.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.