Moore: we can get better

Date Published: 18-Jun-2012

STEPHEN GLENNON

Captain Fergal Moore believes the Galway senior hurlers – who impressively accounted for Offaly on a scoreline of 5-23 to 3-15 in the Leinster SHC semi-final at O’Moore Park, Portlaoise last Sunday – will only get better and better as the championship progresses.

Three goals in the opening nine minutes from St Thomas’ duo Conor Cooney (2) and David Burke lay the foundation for the victory, which sets Galway up for a Leinster final appearance against Dublin or All-Ireland champions Kilkenny on Sunday, July 8.

“Obviously, goals make a huge difference in the championship and we have been focusing on taking those opportunities,” says Moore on Galway’s six goal tally against Westmeath and their five-goal haul against Offaly.

“Unfortunately, we probably didn’t drive on as well as we would have liked after scoring the three early goals today.

“I suppose, the goals gave us a cushion and we ended up letting Offaly back into the game with a few lapses of concentration. We came down here to get the win today and we did that and we can now focus on a Leinster final in three weeks time.”

There was a significant improvement in Galway’s showing when compared to the performance they submitted in their opening Leinster championship fixture against Westmeath a fortnight ago. Moore acknowledges there is still room for improvement but feels the Tribesmen are getting closer to where they want to be.

“We are a young team and we are developing and building. Every match we are learning something new and we are putting it into use the next day out. We improved on a lot of things from the Westmeath game today and we dropped off on other things. However, we will sit down on Tuesday night at training and analyse where our weaknesses are. We have three weeks now to put things right and get ready for a Leinster final.”

Offaly boss Ollie Baker says the concession of soft goals, in particular those three early efforts, were the result of “suicidal defending” and he admits his charges were always “fighting an uphill battle” once Galway netted the fourth through Damien Hayes before half-time.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.