Rising star Mannion cuts loose as Galway thrash the Dubs in Tullamore

HE’S the new darling of the terraces; hurling’s latest hottest property. And if Cathal Mannion keeps going at this rate, his sideboard will be full of individual trophies by the end of the year.

A cool character by nature and on the hurling field, Mannion lit up Tullamore on Saturday evening with a terrific performance which left Dublin on their knees and had the Galway fans enraptured.

Having starred in the drawn game at Croke Park six days previously, the Ahascragh/Fohenagh clubman’s cover was already blown, but his brilliant three goal salvo inside the opening 11 minutes was really a joy to behold.

His first green flag came directly from a clearance by his brother Padraic, who has also been making a big impression in his debut season, after only 43 seconds. Mannion’s composed finish of all three goals underlined his big-day temperament, while the touch he displayed before rifling over one of his second-half points symbolised a hurling artist at work.

The young attacker’s ability to make room without looking to be going at full tilt masks a serious turn of foot, while his accuracy stamps Mannion as a class act who has the capacity to continue to exert a major influence on this year’s championship.

On departing the dressing rooms after the Leinster quarter-final replay at O’Connor Park, the Galway No. 13 betrayed no trace of jubilation at his great evening’s work and was quick to downplay his own major role in the Tribesmen’s big win.

“The right ball was coming in and the lads out the field don’t get the credit they deserve. It was a great team performance and I was delighted to be part of it. We were ready for today.”

Mannion acknowledged that Galway had been fortunate to survive the first day at Croke Park given the number of Dublin’s missed late chances. “We were lucky to get a second chance and we knew we had to produce a bigger display for the replay.”

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