Galway 1-16
Donegal 0-12
In dark economic times a flash of beauty will always be appreciated. Perhaps that is exactly why when the teams were trotting off at the interval Galway were afforded another passionate Pearse Stadium standing ovation. When it occurred against Dublin it was understandable because 1983 still rankles, and defeating the sky blues brings ample satisfaction. But last Sunday’s salute was simply due to the breadth of Galway’s game as the 12 point margin that separated the sides was an accurate reflection of the locals’ stylish start.
There was so much to laud in how Galway accumulated such a healthy lead. Gareth Bradshaw continues to evolve into a serious inter-county footballer, at centrefield Joe Bergin and Barry Cullinane were dismissing Donegal, and further upfield the usual suspects were gorging on the feast of ball that came their way.
Padraic Joyce’s splendid deliveries were carving chances for Michael Meehan, who had the military precision to land the scores with cool and classy conviction. The attack was certainly in the groove, Nicky Joyce and Sean Armstong stroked over points that only talented footballers could land. It was that sort of 35 minutes when the football was pure, and partisans derived pleasure from such a 1-11 to 0-2 treat.
Inevitably Donegal improved considerably after the restart as Galway’s interest waned somewhat. It didn’t really bother the crowd, who were secure in the knowledge that the full complement of spoils was safe and secure. And even following one surprisingly long 20 minute spell without a Galway score Meehan took responsibility drilling over a tasty point to end the token Donegal resistance.
Liam Sammon, the architect of Galway’s renaissance, praised Meehan’s sterling contribution. “He seems to produce a different display each day, one better than the next. He did very well for us, particularly in the opening half. We were never going to keep it at the level of the first half. Donegal are a good side, they came back well against Dublin, and we knew they would hit back against us.”
It has been an immensely satisfying start to 2009 for Galway, who have stitched an eight match winning sequence together. The remaining encounters in the spring will test the maroons’ mettle with the fixtures against Derry, Mayo, and Kerry now appearing increasingly attractive.
Galway: P Doherty; N Coyne, F Hanley, D Burke; G Bradshaw (0-2 ), D Blake, D Mullahy; J Bergin (0-1 ), B Cullinane; S Armstrong (0-1 ), P Joyce, M Lydon; D Dunleavy (0-2 ), M Meehan (1-9, 4fs ), N Joyce (0-1 ). Subs: D Meehan for Mullahy (22 mins ), F Breathnach for N Joyce (23 mins ), M Clancy for Breathnach (49 mins ), G Sice for Coyne (51 mins ), D Reilly for Lydon (63 mins ).
Donegal: P Durcan; E McGee, N McGee, P McDaid; E Wade (0-2 ), R Sweeney, K Cassidy; R Kavanagh, C Toye (0-2 ); B Roper, C Dunne, D Walsh (0-1 ); C McFadden (0-1,f ), M Murphy (0-2, 145 ), L Thompson. Subs: M Maguire for Sweeney, C Bonner (0-3 ) for Dunne (both 36 mins ), J Gallagher for N McGee (41 mins ), S Griffin (0-1 ) for Thompson (47 mins ), R Bradley for Murphy (55 mins ).
Referee: P McEnaney (Monaghan ).
