Padraic Joyce’s Galway have secured four points from four in the division two Allianz League following a hard-fought 1-12 to 0-09 win over Down in Páirc Esler on Saturday evening.
Once again, as was the case in Salthill against Meath, conditions had a massive influence on this game, but Joyce will be thrilled with the character his side showed in the second half when battling both against the elements and a Down onslaught with the crowd roaring the home side on.
Galway weathered that second-half storm and some big names stepping up their form as Shane Walsh, Paul Conroy and Kieran Molloy guided Galway to the much-needed two points to keep them on track in their promotion bid.
The Tribesmen could not have asked for a better start to the game when they raised a green flag in the sixth minute. Paul Conroy ghosted in behind the Down defence from midfield before slipping the ball under the goalkeeper with only six minutes on the clock.
Cormac McCartan quickly responded for Down with a super score off his right boot into the stiff Northern breeze. However, the first 20 minutes of the game was all about Galway’s stalwart at midfield, Paul Conroy. Already with a goal to his name, Conroy used the wind to his advantage and kicked two of the finest scores from distance of any games all weekend. His second point, in particular, from the right wing was spectacular as he only took a quick glance at the posts before pulling the trigger.
As well as getting himself on the scoreboard, Conroy dominated kickouts in the air with Paul Kelly ably assisting. Sandwiched between Conroy’s scores was a well-taken right-footed point from Robert Finnerty as Galway looked in their groove.
The lively Owen Gallagher took a nice point, while Tomo Culhane and Damien Comer claimed marks for themselves which were tapped over easily. The marks were set up by two pinpoint passes from Shane Walsh and John Daly respectively. Walsh also struck a long range free as Galway entered half-time looking comfortable and leading by 1-07 to 0-02.
James McCartan’s side came out of the traps fast in the second half and three quickfire points spearheaded in attack by the impressive Barry O’Hagan brought Down right back into the contest.
Down’s directness from the long ball aided by the breeze wreaked havoc in the Galway defence. Slowly but surely, Galway steadied the ship as they started to control possession and work a few scoring opportunities for themselves.
Owen Gallagher was most impressive for Galway in the second half as his tireless work rate gave his team the energy needed to drive on and clinch a few match winning scores.
There appeared to be a few tired bodies on the pitch for Galway late on which was no surprise given the workload of some players. Matthew Tierney, Seán Kelly and Paul Kelly are involved also with NUI Galway in the Sigerson Cup.
Thankfully, Galway got over the line in the end and the winning margin could have been bigger as Galway were sloppy in possession when presented with two clear goal chances in the second half.
It is a fortnight until Galway’s next game against Offaly where hopefully Joyce’s charges can make it three wins from three.
