Galway’s league campaign ends on a winning note

Galway 0-25

Clare 1-20

Darren Kelly in Pearse Stadium

Galway’s senior hurlers got a good workout in their final National Hurling League fixture last Sunday as this two point win over Clare ended a two-game losing before their Leinster championship opener against Wexford next month.

Despite being a dead rubber, a healthy crowd arrived in Salthill for this first meeting between the neighbours since their epic draw and replay in the 2018 All-Ireland semi-final. It was also the first time they met in this competition in seven years.

The first two scorers started with intent: Galway’s Cathal Mannion and Clare’s Ryan Taylor both contributed five points each from play over the 70 minutes, and both were off the mark by the second minute.

Conor Cooney made it 0-2 to 0-1 for Galway before 120 seconds had been played, while Tony Kelly put over a free in the sixth minute. These two would finish as the game’s joint top scorers.

Craughwell’s Tom Monaghan put Galway back ahead before Kelly levelled again from a 65. That came after the Banner’s first dangerous attack as Shane Meehan and Taylor forced Daithi Burke into a vital block.

Indeed, the sides were level nine times in the opening 31 minutes. Padraic Mannion raided down the left on nine minutes before waiting in attack for brother Cathal to provide the assist. However, three in quick succession through Kelly, Cathal Malone and Taylor had Clare 0-6 to 0-4 up.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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