It was a good afternoon’s work for the Galway hurlers in O’Moore Park in Portlaoise on Saturday as they saw off Dublin by 4-21 to 0-19 in the division 1A relegation replay.
It was a solid and compact performance in the first period and then they really opened up their shoulders in the second half to produce a blistering 35 minutes which saw Dublin relegated for next season.
As well as avoiding relegation, another big plus is that the two competitive games should provide a platform on which to build for the Leinster championship.
Another positive is that the replay was also another 70 minutes of competitive hurling action for Joe Canning following his return from a shoulder injury, and his scoring prowess and availability is key to Galway’s championship aspirations.
Cunningham pleased with performance
Team manager Anthony Cunningham, pleased with the performance, believes the win will help mould his young team.
"It was a difficult league. We went within a puck of a ball of being in a semi-final, but found ourselves in a relegation game. A slightly off-colour display against Waterford cost us, but, we got two great matches over the last fortnight. The guys wanted to play well and the win will bring on the confidence of a lot of young players in a team we’re trying to mould. It gives us a good bit of confidence going into the championship and hopefully we can drive on from here,” he says.
“We have been trying to get to a higher pitch as regards our performance and workrate, particularly in taking goal chances, and that was a message we have been driving home.”
The Galway management team also made some significant tactical changes for the replay which worked.
Team captain Fergal Moore was in his usual corner-back slot. Tony Óg Regan was at six, while David Collins was in his more familiar wing-back position. All men played well and were a major reason why Dublin were held goal-less.
Behind them young Pearses’ keeper Fergal Flannery also impressed and he made some brave body blocks to keep his goal intact. Once the third choice keeper, he has really put himself in the frame for a chance to feature in the upcoming championship.
Iarla Tannian did well at midfield too, while up front Niall Burke Niall (0-4 ) and David Burke (1-3 ) gave great scoring support to Joe Canning.
Young Davy Glennon, chipping in with 1-2 from corner forward, and Jonathan Glynn, also caught the eye.
Joe Canning notched 2-7 (1-6fs ) and Damien Hayes was busy as a bee, providing the ammunition for his colleagues.
While Galway fully deserved their win, the margin of victory flattered them somewhat; something acknowledged by Cunningham.
"The goals made the difference. The second goal Joe [Canning] got gave us a bit of daylight and we kicked on from there. Dublin were chasing the game then."
As well avoiding relegation the two games will have brought both sides on enormously for the big challenges that lie ahead.
"Absolutely. If we hadn’t had those matches, we wouldn’t have had any training for the last few weeks, they’d have been back to their clubs.
"They can go back now for a few weeks and, if we can get over the winners of Westmeath/Antrim, hopefully we’ll be back here again in about eight weeks in the Leinster semi-final.
“Probably the biggest thing we’ll get from the win is confidence. This sets us up now. It’s easier to train guys. Lads will do more of the things you’re pushing them to do and we will try to drive on in the championship."
Galway: F Flannery, N Donoghue, K Hynes, F Moore (Cpt ), J Coen 0-1, T Og Regan, D Collins, D Burke 1-3, I Tannian 0-1, A Smith, N Burke 0-4, C Donnellan 0-2, D Hayes 0-1, J Canning 2-7 (1-6fs ), D Glennon 1-2. Subs,J Glynn for A Smith (23 ), J Regan for C Donnellan (61 ), B Flaherty for N Donoghue (67 ), C Cooney for N Burke (69 ).
