Galway’s goal blitz helps to turns tables on Meath boys

Galway 3-13

Meath 2-9

THE Galway minor footballers did it again! Seven points down in the first-half against Clare in late July, they bounced back to win the All-Ireland quarter-final by seven points. And it was a similar story here, except the revival was probably more spectacular given the quality of the opposition.

Galway trailed by four points at half-time (2-4 to 0-6) and with just over 20 minutes of the All-Ireland semi-final to be played, they were five points in arrears . . . and still they emerged victorious with seven points to spare to set up a September 2 showdown with Kerry, who are chasing five-in-a-row at this grade.

At times in the opening half it looked like Meath might get a run on them. But these Tribesmen are never beaten and they somehow summonsed the strength to turn this game on its head with another remarkable revival.

A couple of timely substitutions and reducing the number of mistakes, allied with a grit and determination from a few key players who stood up and were counted – it’s becoming a trademark of this team – piled the pressure on Meath, who had no response.

Of course, the second-half goals from Eoghan Tinney, Oisín McCormack, and Tony Gill were crucial. One stabilised the Galway men; two sent their confidence soaring; and three proved a killer blow to the Royal County.

It was a devastating 20-plus minutes from Dónal Ó Fátharta’s charges, who blew away a much-fancied Meath outfit with a complete display of clinical Gaelic football, the way it should be played, with pace and passion.

During that final third of the game, Galway outscored the Leinster champions by 3-6 to 0-3; it was as comprehensive a finish as Galway could have hoped for.

What was even more noteworthy was that it wasn’t until the 59th minute when Galway’s main marksman of the championship campaign, Oughterard clubman Ryan Monaghan, landed his first score of the day (free); and Matthew Cooley, a real dangerman in the corner, who has become a ‘marked man’ since his provincial final heroics, was held scoreless.

If you knew that would be the case beforehand, you’d say Galway hadn’t a hope of toppling Meath but Monaghan’s uncharacteristic off-day on placed balls was compensated elsewhere, particularly with fellow wing-back Cathal Sweeney chipping in with three first-half points and a man-of-the-match performance.Of course, the second-half goals from Eoghan Tinney, Oisín McCormack, and Tony Gill were crucial. One stabilised the Galway men; two sent their confidence soaring; and three proved a killer blow to the Royal County.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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