Hurlers show their true grit

Date Published: {J}

Galway 3-17

Offaly 2-18

STEPHEN GLENNON

JUST so the Galway senior hurlers are clear about the premise of the ‘Get out of Jail Free’ card. There are two in the game of Monopoly – one each in the Chance and Community Chest stacks. Once used, the card must be put on the bottom of said stack … and it is unlikely that the opportunity to avail of the aforementioned cards in the current campaign will arise again. Just to clarify.

In any event, for the second week running, John McIntyre’s charges certainly showed their propensity for the principles of the renowned board game. Having clung on to earn a draw the first day against a plucky Offaly, some may say by Chance, the Tribesmen – reduced to 14 men following the dismissal of St. Thomas’ David Burke in the pulsating Leinster semi-final replay – had to delve deep into their Community Chest to secure a result in this one.

Tied at 3-15 to 2-18 with time up – and Ger Farragher, Tony Óg Regan and substitute Adrian Cullinane all spurning a number of late chances – it seemed as if this epic was veering towards extra-time. Given their predicament, that would have been a relief to Galway, allowing them to return to their full complement of players although it was not a guarantee of victory.

Deep down, the players themselves had to have recognised that and sensing they still had the opportunity to finish the job off within the 70 plus minutes, they set to work. Into the second minute of injury-time, Farragher seized possession under the main stand, and showing super vision, he flicked the ball over his shoulder to the on-rushing Joe Canning.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.