Galway minors defy critics by pushing Dubs all the way

Date Published: {J}

Dublin 1-11

Galway 1-9

Dara Bradley at Croke Park

THE expectation was Dublin would walk it. They didn’t – far from it. Despite the overwhelming favourites’ tag, there was a sense Dublin hadn’t been tested when sweeping all before them en route to the All-Ireland minor semi-final.

They’ve certainly been tested now. Tested big time. With a little bit more composure, nous and cuteness at crucial stages of this exciting battle at GAA HQ, Galway could easily have advanced to meet Tipperary in the final on the third Sunday of September.

Alas, it wasn’t to be as the Leinster champions did what they haven’t had to do all year – came from behind to secure victory late on. They probably just about deserved it. Although, Galway can feel they left it behind them, too. That’s the nature of narrow defeats – there are always ifs and buts and regrets.

Tommie Joyce’s charges walked tall from the field of play; bitterly disappointed but proud of their efforts – they’re several of this panel who will no doubt be back at Jones’s Road representing the Tribesmen at U21 and senior in the coming years, with the likes of Conor Rabbitte, Seán Moran and Shane Walsh shining in an honourable defeat.

Galway looked a shadow of their best in the first half, when serious damage was done to their chances of causing an upset. They hung in there though and trailed by just four at the change of ends.

And then when they turned on the style, flashes of brilliance dragging them back into contention, Galway had ample opportunities to floor Dublin early in the second-half when they raced three points clear but they failed to convert enough of the chances, and let Dessie Farrell’s boys off the hook.

The third significant period was late on when the teams were level 1-8 apiece. There had been two stoppages in play to allow for medical attention and it sapped the life out of the match.

When play resumed, Dublin was the side that responded better to the lull in action; they were sharper, whereas Galway looked as though they had switched off temporarily and just couldn’t get back to the intensity of the match as Dublin outscored them by three points to one to secure the two points victory, with sharpshooter Ciarán Kilkenny doing damage.

It must be said, not only did Galway lose momentum during the stoppages, they lost Seán Moran, who had been a leading light in maroon and white all day, and the knock to his ankle proved costly as Galway entered the home stretch.

It’s preferable to concede a goal in the first rather than last minute but when Dublin got the dream start with a green flag after just 14 seconds, it looked ominous.

In what was probably the most polished move of the hour, Emmet Ó Conghaile won the throw-in, found David Campbell, who fed Cormac Costello and his hand-pass reached corner-forward Scott Fulham who had evaded his marker and buried from close range passed ‘keeper Conor Gleeson to give Dublin the start Galway craved.

Midfielder Shane Maughan then sent Moran through on goal; his effort was well saved by custodian Ross O’Hanlon, although you can’t help thinking what might have been had the Claregalway man taken another step or two, or was taking his point a more sensible option?

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.