The Galway minor hurlers did a little to redeem what was a bad weekend for Galway’s hurling reputation when they sank Antrim at Parnell Park on Saturday.
Three goals in less than five minutes during the opening half of a one-sided All-Ireland quarter-final gave Mattie Murphy’s charges a 3-14 to 0-8 lead at half time and by then the game was over as a contest.
If the Ulster side expected Galway to ease off the pedal after the restart, it was mistaken. Galway sub Jack Carr came on at half time and rattled in a second-half hat-trick.
Both Shane Maloney and Jonathan Glynn, who had been impressive in the first period, were withdrawn at half time and Carr proved his desire to have a starting jersey in the All-Ireland semi-final with a 3-2 haul in the second half.
Mattie Murphy knows more than any manager what it takes to win All-Ireland minor titles and he was quick to point out that Clare in the All-Ireland semi-final would represent a massive step up in quality.
“We can’t take an awful lot from the win. We know that we have a nice outfit, but we can’t judge much from last weekend. We have good strength in depth and there’s great competition for places, but we know we have a lot to do between now and the All-Ireland semi-final. There are a lot of good things going on in Clare and our lads will have to up it a gear and be ready for a stiffer challenge the next day.”
Daire Burke sustained a fractured thumb in last Saturday’s win and is a doubtful starter for that clash with Clare, which has been fixed for Sunday August 7 at 1.30pm in a double header with the Kilkenny and Waterford All-Ireland senior semi-final.
Galway v Antrim: S Mannion, P Mannion, P Killeen, C Diviney, J Hansberry, S Sweeney, D Burke, D Higgins (0-1 ), P Flaherty (0-1 ), J Flynn (1-1 ), J Glynn (1-2 ), A Tuohy (0-5 ), B Lane (1-2 ), S Maloney (1-4, 1f, 1’65 ), K Cullinane (0-6 ). Subs: O Teagle for Burke, inj, 30, J Carr (3-2 ) for Maloney, h-t; M Mullins (0-1 ) for Glynn, h-t; S Caulfield (1-0 ) for Flaherty, 45; B Keane (0-1 ) for Lane, 49.
