Galway hurlers turn the corner

Date Published: 31-Mar-2010

GALWAY 2-21

KILKENNY 1-23

BY STEPHEN GLENNON

IF ever there was a character building exercise, then this was it. Having been outscored 1-7 to 0-1 in a disastrous third  quarter showing, a gutsy Galwayoutfit bounced back with two late Iarla Tannian goals to record their most significant victory of the year to date.

In all, 7,124 sporting enthusiasts showed up in Nowlan Park on Sunday to witness a thoroughly enjoyable hurling spectacle, which had everything from great scores to no small amount of drama. Simply, it was the sort of contest worth winning.

From a Galway perspective, even more so. The ghosts of the Tipperary defeat earlier in the month were well and truly put to bed, as John McIntyre’s charges showed the necessary backbone to ride out the Kilkenny third quarter maelstrom before coming again with

a late surge to do to Kilkenny what Kilkenny have done to so many teams down through the decades.

To suggest that this was a turning point in Galway’s fortunes is too early to tell. It may just be an anomaly. However, with the sliotar now firmly in the players’ hands, they can shape their own destiny in the National League and, indeed, beyond. It was never a secret that the players had the ability to win but, too often, their character and focus were left open to question.

After their brave and tenacious display against the reigning National League and All- Ireland champions in the Cats’ own backyard, Galway now may just be ready to move on and transcend the barrier of self doubt that has crippled the team’s quest for glory in the past.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.