Galway hurling manager John McIntyre is appealing to the Galway faithful to get behind his team when they square up to Offaly in the Leinster semi-final.
“We’ve a good team in Galway,” he says. “ We’ve played 12 competitive games this year and won 11 of them. I’m challenging the Galway supporters to get behind this team. In a tight game supporters do make a real difference.”
Last Saturday evening in Nowlan Park Galway did more than enough, winning 2- 22 to 1-14 to advance to the Leinster semi-final on June 20.
It was not a vintage performance and there is plenty of room for improvement, but the management team now has a few weeks to prepare.
Wexford were always going to be committed and eager, but there was a distinct gap in class. Once Galway put the foot down, they had the ability and scoring potential to pull away when needed.
Ger Farragher continued his rich vein of form. Any day you slot over 13 points, you have done your bit for the cause. The Castlegar man is really enjoying his hurling at present and his work-rate, covering and distribution were first rate. His partnership with David Burke is gelling nicely and has plenty of potential.
Colm Callanan also did well between the sticks and he made one wonderful save from Rory Jacob in the third quarter. The Kinvara man would appear to have nailed down that starting jersey from his league rotation partner James Skehill.
Galway’s half back line of Donal Barry, Tong Óg Regan, and the outstanding David Collins really caught the eye. Barry, who did not play county hurling at underage level, is settling in well at number five and seems to be improving with each outing. His confidence levels are increasing with regular game time and that is allowing him to play with more freedom and abandon. And it is marvellous to see Collins coming back to his best after his injury woes.
Damien Hayes was again a livewire and his all-action style is difficult to stop, while in the inside line, Joe Canning always looked dangerous when in possession.
That said, the forward unit as a whole will have to increase their tally from play if they are to lift the Leinster title.
Five substitutes got onto the field of play and even limited game time will provide real motivation for the likes of John Lee, Iarla Tannian, Kevin Hynes, Aongus Callanan and Adrian Cullinane to try to grab a starting jersey against Offaly.
As John McIntyre pointed out after the game: “We don’t want anyone to be in their comfort zone. Quality competition on a panel is always a good thing and we have a strong panel which is a major positive. The players were professional when they needed to be. It’s a job done, but there will be stiffer tests ahead.”
The Galway manager was disgusted with the red card shown to Andy Smith - a sending off which tarnished the display.
“I believe that Andy was penalised for his total commitment. We are trying to get Galway to play a more aggressive style of hurling and to lay their bodies on the line.”
