Flying start for hurlers

STEPHEN GLENNON

THERE was mixed fortunes for Galway’s senior GAA teams in their respective National League games at the weekend, with the hurlers accounting for the reigning champions Kilkenny and the footballers suffering a surprise defeat away to Louth.

Almost 10,000 people turned up at Pearse Stadium on Sunday to watch Galway’s 3-11 to 0-17 victory over the All-Ireland champions – although an official attendance could not be secured as the gates had to be opened before throw-in to accommodate the large number of patrons still seeking to gain entry.

Some confusion over the 2pm start time to the fixture – it has originally been scheduled for 2:30pm by Croke Park – would appear to be the underlining reason for the chaotic scenes at the turnstiles, although the hundreds of fans who gained free entry into the game will not be complaining.

In any event, Galway coach Tom Helebert was delighted with the numbers supporting the Leinster champions in Pearse Stadium and, despite losing the All-Ireland final after a replay last September, he believed the buzz was still very much in Galway hurling.

“There was a great crowd in attendance today – great support – and they responded very strongly to the good things we were doing over the course of the game and that is why the result was important,” said Helebert.

“We’ve worked very hard to make sure we are making progress with every game – performance related progress – and that is our focus. That is why getting goals, not conceding a goal, and building on some of the blocks we had there from last year was very important to us today.”

Goals from Mullagh’s Davy Glennon, Craughwell’s Niall Healy and Portumna’s Damien Hayes set the home side on their way to victory and, again, Helebert noted that the goalscoring prowess of the trio was a reflection of the talent currently in the side.“We know that within the squad we have a couple of guys who are good finishers. So, you are always trying to set up how to get the right ball into these lads. And, today, particularly against the breeze in the first half when the ball wasn’t travelling as solidly forward, we were able to open up the space and that was a great advantage to us because we had good stickmen inside. The couple of chances came our way and that was fantastic.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.