Hurlers get a dose of capital punishment at hands of Dubs

Dublin    1-17

Galway  0-13

It’s said a week is a long time in politics, but this also proved true of the intercounty hurling scene on Saturday evening last, as Galway fell to a disappointing seven point defeat at the hands of a Dublin side hell-bent on maintaining their impressive unbeaten sequence in Parnell Park that stretches back to 2011.

Filleted only a week previously by a rampant Tipperary at Semple Stadium, Dublin were a different beast entirely on their home turf, buoyed by the return of defensive lynchpin Liam Rushe who put in a fine display on his return. Galway were praised after defeating Cork at their ease in the Salthill sun, but on this occasion were no match for Dublin’s greater intensity, purpose, and application.

Despite being second best for much of the first period, Micheál Donoghue’s men were not in a bad position at half time, only three points adrift having played against the cold wind. However, they were struggling to create chances from play against Dublin’s well organised defence and were reliant on Joe Canning popping over some difficult frees for scores.

Losing Canning (illness) and Greg Lally (knee) at the break did not help matters, having already seen Fergal Moore (concussion) depart, but Galway could only get within two points of Ger Cunningham’s outfit early in the second half before a game-defining eight minute spell saw Dublin plunder 1-5 without much hint of a reply at the other end.

While Galway outscored the victors by 0-5 to 0-2 in the closing 20 minutes, in reality Dublin were holding them at arm’s length, with Oisín Gough outstanding in their full-back line. Galway failed miserably to generate any meaningful goal-scoring opportunities that may have offered them an unwarranted route back into the contest, or at least helped their scoring difference when the league comes to a conclusion.

Galway began the night minus Daithí Burke for the second week running as he struggles to return to full fitness, with Fergal Moore coming in to deputise at full-back. The opening few minutes showed some promise as Padraig Brehony and Niall Burke struck points from play, but Dublin stayed with them through efforts from David ‘Dotsy’ O’Callaghan and a David Treacy free.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.