Positives for Offaly to grasp as Galway get away late on for convincing win

IT was a real Winter's day in Duggan Park, Ballinasloe on Sunday as Galway found another gear late on to advance to a Walsh Cup final date with Dublin next weekend.

Walsh Cup Senior Hurling semi-final

Galway 2-22

Offaly 0-16

While they were never going to win it, the score is hard on Offaly as they stayed with an experimental Galway for a lot of the way and were in the hunt for 50 minutes.

1-16 to 0-16 behind at that stage, Offaly had the wind on their backs and a chance but as both sides ran in a spate of subs but their afternoon went downhill from here on. They didn't score again as Galway got the closing 1-6 without reply for a deserved win.

Galway were very good when Offaly snapped on their heels inside that closing quarter, finding another gear and the losers could not live with them.

With a dark overcast sky and heavy rain falling, it was not conducive to good hurling but both managements were very glad of the fixture ahead of the start of the National Hurling League in a couple of weeks time.

The weather and underfoot conditions made things very difficult for the players but they got on with it, serving up a decent, competitive game.

Galway led by 0-13 to 0-8 at half time and Offaly were happy with that after playing against the wind.

Both sides settled quickly, registering two points apiece in the first four minutes, the impressive Conor Doyle and Dan Bourke pointing for Offaly. Galway got the next two and for a few minutes, neither team looked capable of missing.

Eoghan Cahill had the first wide from a fifth minute free as Offaly worked hard to curtail Galway. It was 0-6 to 0-4 after 12 minutes, 0-9 to 0-4 after 15 minutes and 0-9 to 0-6 after 20.

Galway's attack were dangerous, though they helped Offaly with a few poor wides. The home side led by 0-13 to 0-7 going into injury time with Cahill's free giving Offaly an outside chance in the second half.

Offaly did very well for twenty minutes of the second half, even though they were hanging on to an extent. Scoring was a problem for them but they were very much in the hunt when trailing by 0-15 to 0-12 after 43 minutes.

Galway should have had a goal on the board as Declan McLoughlin hit the post with the net at his mercy in the 37^th minute and Liam Hoare saved well from Cian Daniels two minutes later.

Galway eventually got in for a goal in the 44^th minute, Aaron Niland tapping home after Hoare mad a great save from McLoughlin.

1-15 to 0-12 behind, Offaly's response to this was the most impressive part of their performance. They did really well to get back into it, scoring four of the next five points, with impressive sub Luke Watkins starting the ball rolling and Dan Ravenhill and Brian Duignan (two frees) also pointing. They could have been closer as Duignan was off target with a '65' but with a three point deficit, Offaly had a chance.

Galway were excellent in the closing ten minutes, driving forward relentlessly and Offaly didn't mount an attack worthy of the name. Evan Niland settled them back down with a 51^st minute free and they got three points to make it 1-20 to 0-16 after 54 minutes. Offaly were beaten even before Tom Monaghan's 57^th minute goal and Evan Niland and excellent sub, John Fleming got closing points for a final scoreline that was hard on Offaly.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Jason Rabbitte (Galway): There is na case for going for John Fleming who came on at half time for Galway and had a huge influence on the outcome. The choice is Jason Rabbitte who was only one of a handful of home players to play the full game. He got two points but it was his industry and work rate that impressed as he foraged for the ball and spread it around well.

Donal Shirley and Dan Bourke, very effective in a sweeping type role, were among Offaly's best players. Liam Hoare did well in goals, Conor Doyle had a very productive first half, Luke Watkins did well off the bench and as a unit Offaly worked hard.

THE SCORERS

Galway: Rory Burke 0-6 (4f), Aaron Niland 1-2, Tom Monaghan 1-0, Evan Niland 0-3 (1f), Darragh Neary, Jason Rabbitte, Declan McLoughlin, John Fleming 0-2 each, Joshua Ryan, Gavin Lee, Paddy McCarthaigh 0-1 each.

Offaly: Eoghan Cahill 0-6 (6f), Brian Duignan 0-3 (3f), Luke Watkins and Conor Doyle 0-2 each, Dan Ravenhill, Ter Guinan, Dan Bourke 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

OFFALY: Liam Hoare (Carrig-Riverstown); Ben Conneely (St Rynagh's), Ben Miller (Birr) James Mahon (Kilcormac-Killoughey); Eimhin Kelly (Lusmagh), Donal Shirley (Tubber), Dan Ravenhill (Durrow); Ross Ravenhill (Durrow), Cathal King (Carrig-Riverstown); Conor Doyle (Clara), Eoghan Cahill (Birr), Ter Guinan (Kilcormac-Killoughey); Daniel Hand (Kilcormac-Killoughey); Brian Duignan (Durrow), Dan Bourke (Durrow), Subs – Patrick Taaffe (Belmont) for Mahon, inj. (7m), Luke Watkins (Shinrone) for Kelly (HT), David Nally (Belmont) for Guinan (33m), Oisin Kelly (Belmont) for Cahill (41m), Eoin Burke (Coolderry) for Hand (50m), Sam Bourke (Durrow) for King (52m), Jack Clancy (Belmont) for Dan Bourke (61m).

GALWAY: Stephen O'Halloran; Darren Morrissey, Cillian Trayers, Joshua Ryan; Dan Loftus, Gavin Lee, Cian Daniels; Tom Monaghan, Daithi Burke; Darragh Neary, Rory Burke, Jason Rabbitte; Aaron Niland, Declan McLoughlin, Brian Callanan. Subs – Evan Niland for Callanan (HT), John Fleming for Neary (HT), Padraic Mannion for Trayers (HT), Sean Murphy for Ryan (HT), TJ Brennan for Lee (HT), Sean Linnane for Daithi Burke (41m), Paddy McCarthaign for Rory Burke (41m), Michael Power for Daniels (54m), Ciaran Leen for Aaron Niland (54m), Daniel Comar for Loftus (54m),

Referee – James McGrath (Westmeath).

REFEREE WATCH

A vastly experienced referee, James McGrath was tuned in, allowed for the conditions and handled it well.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

While Offaly got back into it after it, Galway's first goal from Aaron Niland in the 44^th minute gave them a six point lead and enough of a cushion to be fairly sure of winning.

VENUE WATCH

Duggan Park in Ballinasloe is one of those dated, almost antique grounds that are in a few counties around the country. Once a major venue for Galway, it has a charm of its own and certainly suited Offaly supporters for convenience reasons. The pitch was as good as could be expected for this time of year in these conditions and they hosted the fixture well with a bigger than expected crowd braving the rain.

WHAT'S NEXT

Galway go into the final.

STATISTICS

Wides: Offaly – 8 (4 in first half); Galway - 8 (5 in first half).

Yellow cards: Offaly – 0; Galway – 1 (Rory Burke).

Red cards: 0