Traumatic defeat for Galway in pulsating showdown

Cork 3-20

Galway 3-14

YOU’D want to have a heart of stone not to feel huge compassion for the Galway minor footballers after this crushing loss to Cork in Sunday’s thrilling All-Ireland final at Croke Park.

They were almost there; three points up; and seconds away from completing an historic Galway Gaelic football and minor hurling double. Substitute Niall Cunningham had just rattled the net in what we all thought was the final’s defining moment.

But sport can be cruel and within little more than a minute, the Galway players had to somehow rally themselves for extra-time after the game’s outstanding player, Cork’s Conor Corbett, had thrown the Rebels a lifeline in a dramatic finale.

The fact that Tomo Culhane was presented with an opportunity – admittedly a very difficult one – to have still snatched the spoils for Galway with the last kick of normal time will only add to their torment. The team’s impressive full forward gave his effort from the Cusack Stand side of the field everything, but the ball drifted wide of the near post.

To be honest, the odds were against a Roy of the Rovers style winner from Culhane, but it contributed to a deflating conclusion for Donal Ó Fátharta’s gallant charges. And within five minutes of the first period of extra-time, they were a beaten docket.

No wonder, the Galway camp was utterly distraught and numb afterwards. A team which few had big hopes for this summer had overcome lots of adversity – notably two defeats in Connacht – in coming agonisingly close to capturing the county’s first All-Ireland minor title since 2007.

Ultimately, it was Cork’s greater physical power which proved decisive in extra-time. They were the stronger and bigger team and though Galway admirably matched them stride for stride in normal time, those extra 20 minutes took a serious toll on the young Tribesmen’s energy levels. They had given everything and were out on their feet.

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

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