No margin for error as Tipp roll into town for key clash

By Patrick Earley

THIS is exactly the scenario Shane O’Neill would have wanted for his Galway side at the beginning of the Allianz League. This is knockout hurling, where the Na Piarsaigh native will find out exactly what his players – inexperienced or otherwise – are made of.

It’s a winner takes all meeting as Galway vie with Tipperary for the third and final qualifying place from Group A at Pearse Stadium this Sunday (throw-in 2pm) and it’s one we are all excited to see.

Last Sunday’s victory over Cork has done so much for this team and the general mood of hurling people around the county.

A gritty and honest display, where the Tribesmen had to summon serious character following the concession of a goal to Tim O’Mahony, the manner in which they responded and got over the line was the first signs that this team are really heading on the right road under the new management.

It was always going to take a bit of time and this was far from a polished display by Galway but the mental attributes they showed in that second half in Salthill last weekend will see the supporters rally around them, and expect a big crowd in Salthill for the visit of Liam Sheedy’s Tipp.

For Galway, there’s something to build on now. Had they lost last Sunday, this game would be a dead rubber for the Tribesmen and would have left them with a long break to the championship, without any really positive performance to reflect back on from the spring.

Also, the experimentation O’Neill and his management team has undertaken is still a few weeks away from completion. Players like Darren Morrissey, Shane Cooney, Fintan Burke, Conor Walsh, Evan Niland, TJ Brennan and Tadhg Haran still have more to give and need more opportunity before a definitive decision can be made on their place in the pecking order come championship.

That’s why the more games Galway get in this league, the better. Winning it is irrelevant in truth. O’Neill has said it throughout the campaign: ‘It’s all about championship’ and that’s really positive to see.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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