Galway minor hurlers live up to star billing

Galway 4-20Wexford 2-11

CIARAN TIERNEY IN TULLAMOREA superb early blitz of scores laid the foundations for a comfortable victory as the Galway minor hurlers opened the defence of their All-Ireland title in spectacular style at O’Connor Park, Tullamore, on Saturday.

There were no signs of rustiness in the Galway ranks during the first half of a one-sided quarter-final in which no less than nine of the boys in maroon made an impact on the scoreboard.

Beaten Leinster finalists Wexford were taking part in their fifth championship game of the summer, but had no answer to the speed and accuracy of a fresh Galway side who led by 2-4 to 0-1 after just seven minutes and 2-12 to 0-2 with just over 20 minutes on the clock. 

It was a dream start for Matt Murphy’s charges, who benefitted hugely from the experience of 2011 All-Ireland winners Paul Killeen and Sean Sweeney in the central defensive positions during that pulsating opening spell.

With wing back Shane Caulfield in superb form, hitting two sensational long-range scores after consistently battling for the ball, Galway’s dominance extended all over the field.

Wexford did try to stage a fight-back when they had the backing of the breeze, and scored 1-3 without reply just after the break, but it was too little, too late and Galway wing forward Adrian Morrissey’s superb goal effectively killed off the game as a contest with 19 minutes to go. 

It was Morrissey, too, who opened the scoring after collecting a long delivery from Sweeney just two minutes into the game. Centre back Sweeney was the provider again when he set up a second score for corner forward Brian Molloy.

Some of Galway’s passing was a joy to behold. Four minutes in, midfielder Cathal Mannion intercepted a poor Wexford sideline cut and fed inside forward Ronan O’Meara, who provided a perfect ball for Darragh Dolan to set up the game’s opening goal for towering Gort full-forward Michael Mullins.

Ben O’Brien did manage to open Wexford’s account with a short-range point, but O’Meara landed a fine point over his shoulder and Dolan punished a poor Wexford clearance with another well-taken score. There were only seven minutes gone when a hand pass from Mullins saw Dolan unleash a superb strike to the net and, already, Wexford were in serious trouble.

With Caulfield, Sweeney, Killeen, and Darragh O’Donoghue winning out their individual battles in the Galway defence, and Mullins’ physical presence causing nightmares for the Leinster defence, a 35-metre Conor McDonnell free only provided a brief respite for Wexford.

Galway hit the next eight points in a row, including two superb long-range efforts from Caulfield, whose work rate on the wing was exceptional. Morrissey, Mullins, and 2011 survivor Jason Flynn hit three in a row before Brian Molloy landed a 55 metre free, following a foul on Flynn, after 16 minutes.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.