The safety nets are gone

Date Published: {J}

CIARAN TIERNEY

THERE is nowhere to hide now, the safety nets have been removed. For both the Galway hurlers and footballers, next Saturday is crunch time. High profile qualifiers against Cork and Meath respectively are set to define a season’s work and perhaps allow two highly criticised camps to put the memories of two bitterly disappointing provincial campaigns behind them.

It’s win or bust now, even if the hurlers put their summer back on track when accounting for Division Two side Clare at Pearse Stadium last Saturday night. But a game against Cork in front of what is bound to be a huge crowd at Limerick’s Gaelic Grounds (4pm) should bring far greater intensity, and pressure.

They could have drawn Antrim, but such a fixture would hardly have been of much use for a side whose mettle was questioned after the hugely disappointing performance against Dublin in the Leinster semi-final. There should be nothing better than the sight of the red Rebel jerseys to focus Galway minds.

“I believe it is the better draw for us on the basis that it will ensure we will stay in the same mental zone as the past fortnight,” admitted hurling manager John McIntyre yesterday. “The draw has been a quick shot of reality after the win over Clare and it is probably in our best interests at this stage.

“I was thrilled by the reaction of the players on Saturday night, after they had shipped a lot of flak over the previous fortnight. We always knew that the Dublin game wasn’t a fair reflection of their preparations and talent, but nobody is getting carried away by a win over Clare, who are a Division Two team with a leaky back-line. That game was a perfect opportunity in terms of Galway trying to rehabilitate themselves.”

Galway’s improved sharpness was reflected in a hugely respectable 3-13 haul by the interval at Pearse Stadium and, without live television coverage, a big following from the county can be expected in Limerick next Saturday.

The Tribesmen have slight injury concerns relating to midfielders Andy Smith (jaw) and David Burke (shoulder), but should have a full panel available for this showdown with the side they beat at the same stage (1-19 to 0-15) two years ago. McIntyre’s men also beat the Rebels in last year’s League final, but lost when they last met on Leeside in a League fixture in March (1-17 to 1-20).

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.