Galway stage stunning comeback to overhaul early 14-point deficit

Galway 0-20DIT 2-12

STEPHEN GLENNON

TWELVE unanswered points in the closing quarter salvaged an unlikely victory for reigning Walsh Cup holders Galway – who were 14 points adrift at one stage – against a pacy Dublin IT outfit in the quarter-final of the competition in foggy Duggan Park, Ballinasloe last Sunday.

Many had assumed that Galway’s return to Ballinasloe in almost a decade would be nothing more than a procession against the students; however nothing could have been further from the truth. With 26 minutes gone, the Tribesmen trailed 2-9 to 0-1 and a hiding of considerable proportions looked on the cards.

Even given the fact that Galway were just three weeks back in collective training – in contrast to the Dublin side who had been training since Autumn of last year and were gearing up for an impending Fitzgibbon Cup campaign – there was no denying how totally inept the home side were in this opening period.

Simply, Galway just couldn’t cope with the early pace of the students’ game, lacked a certain crispness in their striking and a sharpness in open play and, for the most part, were like suburban dogs chasing passing cars. Again, understandable at this time of the year.

Indeed, it was notable that when Ger Farragher scored Galway’s second point from a free on 27 minutes, it did not raise a single clap or cheer from the 700 or so hardy souls present as a degree of bewilderment permeated throughout the ground.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.