Problems to solve in wake of heavy loss to flying Tipp

Date Published: 20-Mar-2013

Tipperary 4-22

Galway 1-20

STEPHEN GLENNON AT PEARSE STADIUM

GALWAY senior hurlers look to be heading for a relegation battle for a second consecutive year in Division 1A of the National League after they suffered an 11-point defeat to rivals Tipperary at Pearse Stadium on Bank Holiday Monday.

Despite accounting for All-Ireland champions Kilkenny in the first round of the NHL, the Tribesmen have somehow lost their way since and defeats to Clare and Tipperary leave them at the bottom of the league table.

With a competent and ever-improving Cork to make the visit to the Salthill venue on Sunday, Galway must secure a victory in that fourth round fixture if they are to avoid another perilous sojourn into the quagmire that is relegation.

On the other hand, a victory against Cork could reignite the Westerners’ league ambitions and, quite possibly, see them heading to Waterford for their final group game with a place in the semi-finals still within their grasp.

However, on the evidence of this showing against Tipp, serious improvement is needed, although it is hard to pinpoint what must be done. There were times during Monday’s contest when the Galway players appeared a jaded bunch and that the hectic schedule between Walsh Cup, Railway Cup and National League had begun to take its toll.

In any event, Galway had all the appearance of a side still engaging in the hard, physical graft of early season training whereas Tipperary had the semblance of an outfit that had introduced the sliotar into their sessions – and at pace.

Certainly, Anthony Cunningham, Mattie Kenny and Tom Helebert have to ask questions of the players – and themselves – if only to reawaken their hunger and appetite for battle. As a unit, this was sadly lacking against the Premier County although the likes of Iarla Tannian (despite a poor start), Davy Glennon, Niall Healy and Damien Hayes did show more of their competitive streaks in comparison to others.

Indeed, it was these four players – along with Joe Canning and substitutes Brian Flaherty and Aidan Harte – who hauled Galway back into the contest in the second half. At the change of ends, the Tribesmen had been 2-13 to 1-9 in arrears, but a string of points from Canning (two from play and two frees), Harte, Healy and Glennon saw their side back in the hunt at 2-17 to 1-17 by the conclusion of the third quarter.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.