Great chance for Galway U-21s to secure title glory

Date Published: {J}

FRANK FARRAGHER

IT is quite amazing how the footballing humour in Galway has evolved over recent weeks from the almost abject despair of five National League defeats on the trot to the elation of a Croke Park All-Ireland final appearance on Sunday.

The antidote to Galway’s footballing condition over recent times has been provided by Alan Mulholland’s under-21 side, who really cut a dash when defeating Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final in Ennis last Saturday week.

While the county’s progress through Connacht might have been attributed, maybe slightly unfairly, to the quality of the opposition they met along the way, the win over Cork sent out a very clear signal that this was a serious Galway team.

Two aspects of Galway’s performance against Cork indicated that this was a team that travelled south with a mission in mind.

Firstly Galway showed absolutely no early respect for Cork’s reputation, catching ball at will around the midfield zone and secondly when Cork went 11-7 ahead early in the second half, the patience and resilience of the comeback showed that the team had a real depth of character about them.

That of course is yesterday’s news and there probably is only one rule about finals – whether they be good or bad spectacles – and that’s to win them. Cavan, without any shred of a doubt, will provide very stiff opposition on Sunday (2pm).

Cavan were unlucky to lose out in last year’s Ulster final but last year left them with a strong residue of hope for the 2011 campaign and they showed serious intent for further glory with a 0-12 to 1-4 Ulster semi-final victory over Donegal.

As with Galway against Cork, Cavan laid down their marker as a potential All-Ireland winning team with a 1-10 to 0-10 provincial final victory over Ulster giants, Tyrone, exploding into action with a goal after 10 seconds by Niall Murray.

After that they still had to withstand all the fire and brimstone that Tyrone could throw at them but they showed real steel to carve out a three point victory.

Three days later in Parnell Park, barely rested from their Ulster final exploits, Cavan under the stewardship of manager Terry Hyland, again showed great powers of physical and mental endurance to defeat Wexford by 1-10 to 0-8.

They come into this match with a reputation of playing what is now termed Ulster style football, defending in depth with a lot of players in their own half of the field and then striking quickly on the counter attack.

It wasn’t the type of game that Galway encountered against a Cork side playing a more orthodox style of football and Cavan’s swarm defence has by all accounts proven very difficult to break down.

Cavan have also done well around the midfield sector with captain Gearóid McKiernan a towering influence in the aerial exchanges as well as popping up for a few vital points against Donegal, Tyrone and Wexford.

The Ulster champions also pack quite a punch in attack and especially in the full forward line where No. 14 Niall McDermott has troubled defenders all through the series while top-of-the-right, Jack Brady, has also notched some critical scores.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.