Inside Track: Galway footballers can expect some hardship
IT could have been worse – being pitted against champions Kerry – but Galway footballers will still have their work cut out when taking on rejuventated Dublin in the All-Ireland quarter-final at Croke Park on Sunday. It's a fascinating contest and with Monaghan doing battle with Louth beforehand, a near capacity crowd is on the cards.
Up to the 2024 quarter-final, Galway hadn't beaten the Dubs in championship football for 90 years, but that terrible record was ended when substitute Tomo Culhane crowned a late rally with the winning point. Normal service, however, was resumed last year when Dublin came to Salthill and edged the verdict by 1-18 to 2-14.
Of course, the teams renewed rivalry in this year's National League at Pearse Stadium in March when a half-time altercation between Ger Brennan and Galway conditioning coach Cian Breathnach McGinn led to the Dublin team manager picking up a harsh 12-week ban which denied him any involvement in the Leinster championship.
That campaign ended with Dublin suffering an extra time defeat to Westmeath in the final and when Louth turned the tables on them in the opening round of the All-Ireland series, the Dubs looked a busted flush. But with Brenan restored to the sideline and Con O'Callaghan fit again, they stopped the rot against Cavan in Breffni Park before their rousing extra-time win over Donegal last Sunday.
With Niall Scully in terrific form and the team in general railing against the perceived miscarriage of justice inflicted on Brennan, Dublin look a different beast now, and Hill 16 will be flocked with their supporters on Sunday after turning their season around. For their extra time against Donegal, it was the first time I was ever shouting for them, largely down to Michael Murphy and Donegal’s behaviour at the end of the 70 minutes.
Neutrals will understandably argue that Dublin will be fatigued for their battle with Galway after enduring such a marathon encounter, but they are dangerious opponents, with Colm Basquel back to full fitness as is midfielder Peadar Ó Cofaigh-Byrne. On the negative side, O'Callaghan is a doubt after been forced to retire against Donegal.
Yet, Galway must have a great chance of coming out on top. Successive wins over Kildare and Westmeath have restored morale after losing their stranglehold on the Connacht championship, while their long casualty list has eased considerably, even if Sean Fitzgerald is snogging away – and good luck to him – to his heart's content on Love Island.
This is a huge game for Padraic Joyce and the Tribesmen and though Dublin have done remarkably well to revive their season, they are far from the force of old. Ultimately, there are no excuses if Galway don't carry the day. It's getting close to now or never for this team and defeat on Sunday could spark a radical overhaul, on and off the field.
One-sided
THE weekend hurling quarter-finals in Thurles proved a major letdown. Few had doubted that Clare and Cork would both come through, but the scale of their superiority was surprising. We had anticipated that Dublin would come out all guns blazing after their poor display against Galway in the Leinster Final, but they again disappointingly failed to fire.
The amount of space Dublin conceded to the Clare attack in the opening quarter was criminal. It was like they had learned nothing from that heavy provincial final defeat. Subsequently, the Banner men could afford to go 19 minutes without a score and still win pulling up by 13 points.
Unfortunately, for Clare, their clear-cut victory has come with a significant cost, losing both defenders Conor Cleary and David McInerney to non-routine looking injuries, while David Reidy had to be hospitalised after suffering a dangerous head-high tackle from Brendan Kenny late on.
Once again, Clare were dangerous up front. Tony Kelly was more like his old self, while Shane O'Donnell was nearly impossible to tie down early on. Sean Rynne lofted over five points, with Peter Duggan, Cathal Malone and Shane Meehan all scoring twice.
But it's further back the field that Clare are in trouble. The fact that their goalkeeper Eibhear Quilligan was adjudged the Player-of-the-Match tells its own story. Dublin created a heap of genuine goal chances, but found the opposition custodian in invincible form. Sure, they will relish getting stuck into Limerick on Sunday week, but Brian Lohan's charges are no longer the same force which went all the way in 2024.
All of us who have had some association with Offaly hurling were left deflated by what unfolded at Semple Stadium on Sunday. The game was done and dusted after 15 minutes as Cork's athleticism, quality and physique left Johnny Kelly's charges floundering. Offaly have been working so diligently to reach the top level over the past four or five seasons, but their limitations were brutally exposed by the Rebels.
Coming out of Leinster after drawing with both Dublin and Kilkenny seem to confirm Offaly's progressive profile, but it was men against boys in Thurles as Cork did what they wanted in powering to a 26-point victory with Brian Hayes, who was a 'mercy' substitution as early as the 44th minute, their tormentor in chief. It's hard to know where Offaly go from here. Sure, their younger brigade still have some growing up to do but this was a demoralising reality check.
Galway United
WHAT a perfect start for Galway United in their temporary new home of Pearse Stadium last Friday night. Two goals from the long-serving Stephen Walsh saw the Tribesmen record a landmark win over Derry City. Galway GAA had come to the club's rescue with Eamonn Deacy Park undergoing ground renovations, and there were a fair few hurling and Gaelic football heads in Salthill to view this milestone event.