Still life in the old dogs as Masters chase more glory

Talking Sport with Stephen Glennon

The masters of the Masters, reigning All-Ireland champions Galway – who are bidding for their fourth consecutive national title – will defend their crown when they take on the might of Tyrone in this year’s decider in Drumlish, Co. Longford on Saturday (3pm).

To the fore in the Over 40s amazing run has been Tuam Stars corner forward Ollie Hynes, a player who is no stranger to this weekend’s opposition. When the Masters lifted their second title in the three-in-a-row in 2013, it was Tyrone – led by one Peter Canavan – who they put to the sword in the final.

Former Galway senior Hynes admits the win was satisfying in more ways than the obvious. “Under Bosco McDermott, we had actually played against Tyrone a number of times in challenge matches over the years (1990s),” says Hynes, who was part of Galway’s ’95 Connacht championship winning panel who subsequently lost to Tyrone in the All-Ireland semi-final.

“We were beaten in the U-21 All-Ireland by Tyrone as well in ’92 and I was on that panel. So, one of the main driving factors in 2013 in the final for three or four of us on the Masters panel was having been beaten by Tyrone in an All-Ireland semi-final and an All-Ireland U-21 final.

“I remember we went out and shook hands with Peter Canavan afterwards and jokingly said that it was great to get him back after ’92 and ’95. He said to me ‘it took ye a long time to get me back’  . . . or something along those lines.”

The Tyrone connection does not end there either as Galway are managed by Des Sheerin, a Tyrone native who has been living in the West for 22 years. “Des took over from Matt Duggan. He is highly involved in the GAA. He is a Master Tutor and goes around coaching the coaches. He is very good,” says Hynes.

Although Galway have been the best Masters side in the country for the past three championships, Tyrone have already put one over the Tribesmen this year with a one-point win. Hynes is wary. “There were nine teams this year and we played them in the round robin series. They beat us by a point.

“Tyrone are actually unbeaten this year. The top four teams in it though – ourselves, Tyrone, Mayo and Cavan – there is only a point or two between us all. Tyrone have excellent players and, as I said, they are unbeaten. They were in the Shield final last year and they have put a big effort into this one.”

Hynes, who joined the Galway senior panel in ’92 before a horrendous leg injury finished his inter-county career in ’96, notes Tyrone have some top performers in the likes of Kevin Gormley (Carrickmore) and Stephen Lawn (Moortown) while it is not beyond the bounds of possibilities that Canavan could, once again, make an appearance.

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