Sports
Stalemate conclusion to Galway senior hurling final
Craughwell 0-12
Sarsfields 0-12
BIG match draws tend to be anti-climatic by their nature and Sunday’s stalemate conclusion to the 2015 Galway senior hurling final at Kenny Park, Athenry comfortably fitted into that stereotype.
With a heavy pitch and strong wind militating against much fluent hurling, both Craughwell and Sarsfields will surely be relieved that they are still standing after a low scoring struggle which rarely ignited and probably left neutrals in the huge crowd feeling short-changed.
The number of unsightly rucks for possession typified the rugged nature of the weather-hit exchanges, but they also underlined the conservative tactical approach of both teams which was more about playing safe than going for broke. The use of sweepers by Sarsfields and Craughwell ensured it was a tough day for the rival forward lines.
Of the 24 points accumulated, 13 came from placed balls while there wasn’t a goal-scoring opportunity worthy of the name as the two finalists defended in numbers. It didn’t make for a great spectacle even if there was no shortage of commitment or industry on display.
Sarsfields, the surprise packets of this year’s county championship, had forced much of the pace thanks largely to having initial use of the elements and they were only headed for the first time in the 55th minute – a hardly fatal development in a match of such frugal scoring.
Subsequently, the impressively accurate Niall Morrissey nailed his eight free to force a replay and it was no more than their gritty final quarter effort deserved. They had led by 0-8 to 0-3 by the interval and possibly should have been further ahead, the legacy of some rushed shooting from out the field.
When Craughwell had drawn level by the 13th minute of the second-half, it appeared Sarsfields might be about to be over-run, but they hung in there with experienced duo Kevin Hynes and player/manager Cathal Murray rallying the troops with some defiant defending.
Having wiped out their half-time deficit in the third quarter, Craughwell must feel a little deflated that they weren’t able to push on, but the tussles for possession became even scrappier in the congested midfield area down the home stretch when the prospect of a draw loomed sharply into focus.
Both teams hardly did themselves justice, but conditions really conspired against a classic finale to a championship which again overran its scheduled conclusion. For the second consecutive year, the Galway hurling title race will be the last county championship to be completed and though the early November date obviously didn’t impact on the attendance of over 8,000, its belated timing was always going to hinder the quality of the action.
Full match report in this week’s Connacht Tribune
Galway 3-18
Cork 1-10
NEW setting; new opposition; new challenge. It made no difference to the Galway minor hurlers as they chalked up a remarkable sixth consecutive double digits championship victory at Semple Stadium on Saturday.
The final scoreline in Thurles may have been a little harsh on Cork, but there was no doubting Galway’s overall superiority in setting up only a second-ever All-Ireland showdown against Clare at the same venue on Sunday week.
Having claimed an historic Leinster title the previous weekend, Galway took a while to get going against the Rebels and also endured their first period in a match in which they were heavily outscored, but still the boys in maroon roll on.
Beating a decent Cork outfit by 14 points sums up how formidable Galway are. No team has managed to lay a glove on them so far, and though Clare might ask them questions other challengers haven’t, they are going to have to find significant improvement on their semi-final win over 14-man Kilkenny to pull off a final upset.
Galway just aren’t winning their matches; they are overpowering the teams which have stood in their way. Their level of consistency is admirable for young players starting off on the inter-county journey, while the team’s temperament appears to be bombproof, no matter what is thrown at them.
Having romped through Leinster, Galway should have been a bit rattled by being only level (0-4 each) after 20 minutes and being a little fortunate not to have been behind; or when Cork stormed out of the blocks at the start of the second half by hitting 1-4 to just a solitary point in reply, but there was never any trace of panic in their ranks.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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GALWAY United need to guard against any kind of complacency when they make the short hop down the M18 this Friday to take on Treaty United at the Markets Field (7.45pm).
The game is a meeting of the two form teams in the division, and as in previous meetings between the sides, will have an additional edge given the number of former United players in the home side’s ranks, and the pair of Limerick lads playing for United.
There might have been just the eight meetings between the sides since Treaty became the latest iteration to represent Limerick in the League of Ireland in 2021, and while United have yet to lose to the men in the candy-cane strips, there has never been more than a goal in four of their eight wins.
The most recent of those was back in February, when Rob Slevin scored the only goal of the game in Eamonn Deacy Park after a tough battle against a side who made a slow start to the season, before finally finding their groove in the past month.
Having taken just three points from their first six games before finally getting a win against Longford Town, they reverted to type with just one point from their next three games, but are now on a run of four wins on the spin, scoring 12 goals and conceding just one.
Their most recent win was a 3-0 victory away to Longford Town last Saturday, and they could have won by double that against the only side to have beaten United this season. That in itself is a warning.
For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.
Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App
Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.
Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Soccer Wrap with Mike Rafferty
While the Salthill Devon men’s team might have lost their grip on the Connacht Junior Cup that they held for two seasons, the club’s women’s side have picked up the mantle and on Sunday last in Headford were crowned provincial champions with a 4-3 win over Manulla.
Following midweek wins for Maree/Oranmore and Knocknacarra, the stage is now almost set for the semi-finals of the Michael Byrne Cup with Salthill Devon meeting St Bernard’s on Sunday in an outstanding quarter-final, with the winners advancing to a semi-final against Maree/Oranmore, while Colga will face Knocknacarra in the other last four contest.
Just one league issue remains to be decided, with the Championship runners-up position up for grabs, as Dynamo Blues have to win their two remaining games in order to overtake Colemanstown United who have finished their programme.
WOMEN’S CONNACHT CUP FINAL
Salthill Devon 4
Manulla 3
Ellerose O’Flaherty scored twice as Salthill Devon were crowned provincial champions with a win over a Mayo side who were losing in the final for the second year in succession.
Backboned by a number of players who previously had League of Ireland experience with Galway WFC, Devon suffered an early set back when Jess Nolan put Manulla ahead, before O’Flaherty levelled matters with a cracking finish on 20 minutes, which was quickly followed by a long-range free-kick from Aoife Walsh.
For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.
Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App
Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.
Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
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