Plenty of positives as hurlers turn a corner despite loss

Date Published: {J}

Tipperary 2-20

Galway 2-18

Stephen Glennon at Semple Stadium

If report cards were being handed out to the management and players in the wake of this gutsy Galway performance in Semple Stadium on Sunday, one suspects it would have made for encouraging reading all round.

Certainly, you would have to give the players an ‘A’ for effort and the management – no more than any proud parent – would have to be well chuffed with that. The Tribesmen played with honesty and heart, bringing an intensity to their game that has not been seen at senior level over the last 18 months or so . . . not since the maroon and white narrowly lost to Tipperary in the 2010 All-Ireland quarter-finals.

Okay, Anthony Cunningham’s charges should have reaped something from this game, and the only blemish on the report card has to be that when they had their illustrious opponents Tipperary within their sights – as they did in that knockout game two years ago – they could not see through the execution.

Hopefully that will come in time but, for now, Galway supporters can at least expect that a corner has been turned and the horror shows of the last year have been well and truly put to bed. The shoots of recovery are there; it may just take time for this particular sapling to flower. That said, a couple of more heartening displays like one this should nurture the growth and expedite matters.

For the small core group of die-hard Galway fans among the 4,951 gathering, they really were treated to a thriller and it was interesting to note a Tipperary ‘hack’ remark that it had been a while since the arena that is Semple Stadium experienced such an atmosphere. The fact that the sides were level an astonishing 14 times was a testimony in itself to the calibre of this contest.

With this exciting National League tie entering injury-time, the two were all-square at 2-18 apiece, but then Tipperary substitute Johnny Ryan – with his first touch – and Noel McGrath (free) tallied late scores to claim a two-point victory.

Saying that, Galway did have an opportunity when just a point in arrears to gain parity once again, but Conor Cooney, following good work from Johnny Coen and Bernard Burke, spurned a relatively easy chance in front of the posts. Had he scored that 72nd minute effort, they may have been able to hold out for those three minutes added on to secure a draw.

Cooney, though, should not beat himself up. He had a fine game throughout – scoring three points, one from a free – and with a couple of more ‘big’ games like this under his belt, his temperament for popping over those pressure opportunities will no doubt improve. As it will across the board.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.