Galway U-21s get the job done

Galway 2-14Dublin 1-10

STEPHEN GLENNON

A 40th minute goal from Galway half-time substitute Bernard Burke proved to be the defining score in his side’s scrappy All-Ireland U-21 semi-final victory over Leinster champions Dublin at O’Connor Park, Tullamore last Saturday evening.

With the Tribesmen having finally nudged 1-9 to 1-7 ahead of the Dubs, Burke seized possession from a Niall Quinn delivery and turning on his heels, the St. Thomas’ stickman made no mistake in dispatching his effort beyond Dublin custodian Finn McGarry.

Certainly, it was a goal deserving of Galway’s second half performance and from there until the end the victors played with much more conviction and controlled the contest accordingly. It was a fry cry from their first half display which, while not lacking character, was somewhat disjointed.

In defence of Anthony Cunningham’s charges though, this was their first competitive outing of the year, whereas Dublin could boast of merited victories over Kilkenny and Wexford in their provincial championship. It was inevitable that it would take time for Galway to find their feet. And when they did, they looked quite accomplished.That said, as pivotal as Burke’s goal was in breaking the back of the Dublin challenge, Galway’s first major on just five minutes, during a helter skelter opening, was equally as important in establishing their credentials.

After Galway’s James Regan and Dublin’s Conor Clinton traded points in the opening minute, the Liffeysiders looked to impose themselves on the tie with a David Quinn goal shortly after. A probing delivery from Dublin senior star Liam Rushe was not dealt with adequately by Galway keeper Kris Finnegan, who batted the sliotar into the path of Quinn. The Lucan Sarsfields man gratefully accepted the gift.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.