Gantley gets the vote for Wexford test

Date Published: 28-May-2010

GALWAY have made just one change to the side that claimed National League honours earlier in the month for this Saturday’s Leinster championship opener against Wexford at Nowlan Park, Kilkenny (7pm), with Beagh’s Joe Gantley replacing Ardrahan’s Iarla Tannian in the Tribesmen’s attack.

Other than that, Galway remain unchanged after defenders Ollie Canning (ankle) and Donal Barry (dead leg) and midfielder Ger Farragher (dead leg) all recovered from recent injuries to made the starting line-up. Indeed, Galway’s injury crisis – which at one stage saw nearly 20 players on the treatment table – would seem to have finally abated, with just two players, Portumna duo Eugene McEntee and Kevin Hayes, definitely ruled out for Saturday’s Leinster quarter-final.

The availability of key players is a massive boost to Galway boss John McIntyre and his management team, as they have had already had to come to terms with the loss of outstanding corner-back Fergal Moore (ankle) for the year.

“Yeah, our injury problems have definitely eased over the past few days, although Eugene McEntee (groin) and Kevin Hayes (hamstring) are out of contention for selection through injury,” confirms McIntyre.

“Everybody took part in the training session at Kenny Park on Tuesday night and the mood in the camp is good. We intend to put our best foot forward against Wexford in Nowlan Park. We will be taking no chances and we will treat them with the respect they deserve.”

That Galway have certainly done, naming a largely unchanged outfit from that which claimed an impressive 2- 22 to 1-17 victory over Cork in the National League Division 1 final earlier this month.

Kinvara custodian Colm Callanan resumes his role between the posts, with Damien Joyce, captain Shane Kavanagh and All-Star Ollie Canning lining out in the fullback berths. Barry, Tony Óg Regan and David Collins fill the half-back positions, while, in midfield, Player of the League Farragher and St. Thomas’ David Burke form a decent partnership, which will only flourish further with game time together under their belts.

The wily Damien Hayes started in the half-forward line with devastating effect against Cork in the League decider and, consequently, retains that berth in a half-forward line which also includes Pearses’ Cyril Donnellan and his clubmate Andy Smith.

Gort’s Aidan Harte – who had a very solid League campaign – reprises his left corner forward role in a line that comprises of full-forward, super star and all-round hurling ambassador Joe Canning and Beagh sharpshooter Gantley, who scored 2-5 in last Saturday’s ‘trial game’ at Athenry.

There has also been a recall to the squad for Kinvara’s Ger Mahon, while Mullagh’s Finian Coone and Athenry’s John Grealish, who both joined the panel in the latter stages of the League – have been released.

See also:

‘Recalled Regan and Galway developing the winning habit’ on Page 52 of this week’s City Tribune