Footballers back on track

Galway 1-20Monaghan 1-14

Frank Farragher at pearse stadium

A LOT of small things done better contributed to one mighty improvement in Galway’s footballing fortunes as they spiritedly recovered from the ignominy of the Castlebar humiliation a week previously to edge their way back into the Division One survival lane.Galway had a stronger and more balanced team in action at Pearse Stadium on Sunday, but equally significant was a difference in attitude on the pitch – this time around every ball was contested vigorously and by the time the clock struck four bells, a fair measure of pride had been restored.

There was just a little hint of Spring in the air as a light west wind blew in from the sea and thankfully for the home supporters in the modest crowd of just over 2,500, a few tiny sprouts of footballing hope also emerged, after the desolation of McHale Park.

The equilibrium of the game though was severely distorted 16 minutes into the second half when free scoring Monaghan wing forward Paul Finlay was sidelined for a second yellow card and was joined 10 minutes later in sinners’ lane by substitute Gavin Doogan.Referee Derek Fahy might claim that both censures were technically correct but on a day when neither team struck a malicious blow, there was something inherently unjust about this contest ending up as a 15 against 13 set-up.

The other nightmare of this reasonably entertaining tie was the problem caused by the fisted pass rule. Time after time, play was held up for the referee’s call on the handpass infringement and on many occasions the offending players were adamant that the fist had been used.

This is one rule change that badly needs to be scuppered – and quickly too. Players taught from kids how to handpass the ball properly have been asked overnight to change the habits of a lifetime, while referees from a distance of 40 to 50 yards away, are being asked to make a call as to whether someone’s hand is closed or open. A definitive striking action is the only fair ‘ask’ to make of any referee.

Those misgivings aside, Joe Kernan will have breathed one huge sigh of relief last Sunday evening after probably wondering a week previously what had brought him down to Corrib country. At least he knows, pretty definitively, that Galway weren’t as bad as they looked in Castlebar.

The restoration of Diarmuid Blake to centre back, the utilisation of Gareth Bradshaw in a positive half back role, a strong midfield display from Joe Bergin and Paul Conroy, plus a very lively forward unit were all key factors in the Galway improvement graph.

Sport though is all about balance. It’s about not getting soaked with despair after a bad defeat or heady with elation after a good win, but in terms of morale, confidence, pride and hope, a few modest foundations stones were put in place on Sunday.

Most of the damage up front was inflicted by the full forward line of Michael Meehan, Nicky Joyce and Sean Armstrong – invariably they seemed to have that yard of pace on their markers, especially when the ball was fed to them quickly and accurately. Critically they are all natural finishers.

Joyce was particularly troublesome to the Monaghan defence in the first half, Armstrong did a lot of damage from the second quarter on, while Meehan proved to be a constant fountain of scores over the course of the 70 minutes.

Monaghan dangermen in the corners Tommy Freeman and Ciaran Hanratty never seemed to be on full power due to injury constraints and some tight Galway marking, but further out the Northern threat was more potent with wing men Paul Finlay and Conor McManus very accurate on the strike.

For more, read page 55 of this week's Connacht Tribune.