Kavanagh looking for a journey home without regrets

Date Published: {J}

STEPHEN GLENNON

As Galway captain Shane Kavanagh remarks, it is back to “old school” championship this weekend; there will be no second chances. For the victors, a place against Waterford in the All-Ireland semi-final awaits; for the loser, well . . . it’s a case of broken hearts, lost dreams, and regret.

Kavanagh, though, is relishing the challenge that Sunday presents. To him, Tipperary is the “best test” Galway could have secured following the disappointing Leinster final display against Kilkenny. Galway need to be stretched; they need to have their worth measured once again.

“All due respect to Antrim, but Tipperary are probably the better test in the quarter-finals and looking ahead to the likes of Waterford and Kilkenny, these are the kind of tests you need in the quarter-finals,” says the Galway captain.

“Last year, Tipp were definitely the second best team in the country and there are a lot of people who will argue this year that they are still the second best team, despite losing to Cork in the Munster championship. So, outside playing Kilkenny, it is probably the hardest game you could get at this stage of the year. However, after the poor showing we had in the Leinster final, it also gives us a chance at redemption.”

Indeed, the 1-19 to 1-12 provincial decider defeat to the Cats has really soured the milk of the National League champions. Yes, this current Kilkenny team may be on the threshold of immortality – an unprecedented five in a row of All-Ireland titles – but even the gods have to be challenged every now and again.

In the Leinster final, the Tribesmen, particularly their offensive lines, failed miserably to do that, although the Galway rearguard did receive some kudos for their heroic efforts. However, that was of little consolation to the Galway full-back.

“Overall, you win as a team and you lose as a team,” says Kavanagh. “There were no recriminations; the backs didn’t feel any better than the forwards going home on the bus that evening. We were all feeling terrible after the performance, because, as I said, you win as a team and you lose as a team. The forwards have been getting a lot of stick, but the backs still made mistakes too and we still have stuff to work on.

“For example, we have to work on our link-up play with the forwards. The forwards have been taking a lot of flak, but maybe the quality of ball being put into them isn’t the best percentage ball they could be given. So, that is something we have to look at too.”

In any event, he says “it didn’t run for us on the day” and he now hopes that they can learn from the experience, overcome any self doubts, and push on.

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