Galway are found wanting against 14-man Dublin in Walsh Cup clash

Dublin 1-20 Galway 3-13

Sean Walsh

GALWAY relinquished their grip on the Walsh Cup under the floodlights of Parnell Park on Saturday night when the 14-men of Dublin recorded a narrow but deserved win over the Tribesmen.

Dublin were the better team and the biggest compliment that could be paid to Anthony Daly’s men is that one would hardly have known that they played the entire second half with such a numerical disadvantage, such was their work rate and desire – quite simply Dublin seemed to want victory more.

In contrast, a disappointing Galway side, who shot three goals all at important junctures, just couldn’t match the intensity of the Dubs, though 12 wides and poor decision making at vital moments didn’t help the Westerners cause.

Also, the inability to get a grip on the midfield and half forward line sectors proved significant, while only three of the starting forwards scored. However, in the wider context, the Galway management, will realise that there is plenty of time to deal with this defeat and the issues it presented – certainly better to happen in January than later in the year.

Johnny Coen, who started brightly, opened Galway’s account within seconds of the start and by the time Coen supplied Ger Farragher for a neat point on 18 minutes, Galway trailed by 0-5 to 0-4.

Ten minutes later Dublin had stretched 0-12 to 0-6 ahead, with Peadar Carton and the returning Conal Keaney hitting three points apiece in those opening 28 minutes. Galway goalkeeper John Grealish denied Carton before, on 31 minutes, Galway got a rub of the green when Eanna Ryan got a touch to a long Tony Og Regan free to find the net.

Regan added a free and Niall Cahalan shot a good score to suddenly leave Galway within a point – 1-8 to 0-12. The home side were dealt a further blow two minutes into injury time when midfielder John McCaffrey got a straight red card for a pull on Niall Cahalan, and when Regan converted the resultant free, the Tribesmen went in at the interval 0-13 to 1-9 down – a position that probably flattered them.

Corner back David Collins, who along with Tony Og Regan and Adrian Cullinane defended well, was deployed as the extra man by Galway in front of the full back line, but as so often happens Dublin increased their work rate to compensate for their numerical disadvantage. Indeed, by the 41st minute Dublin, with Maurice O’Brien to the fore, had gone 0-17 to 1-11 ahead, before Galway struck for a tonic second goal.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentiinel.