Gantley and Farragher lead Galway to emphatic win

Galway 1-22Dublin 1-15

BY STEPHEN GLENNON

GALWAY hurlers claimed their first piece of senior silverware since 2004 when producing a dominant second half performance against a plucky Dublin outfit to secure the Walsh Cup title at Parnell Park on Sunday.

While the Walsh Cup will no way generate the level of expectation that the National League win of 2004 did, there were, nonetheless, a number of reasons for Galway supporters to be optimistic leaving the Dublin venue.

For one, it was imperative the Tribesmen left with a victory as this was – by and large – the same side that will represent the county in their up and coming National League fixtures against Limerick (away), Waterford (home), Tipperary (away) and Offaly (home).True, the college-tied John Lee, returning David Collins and injured duo Fergal Moore and Niall Healy should make their return in the ensuing weeks, but Galway will still be without the quality and guile of their plethora of Portumna players.

Secondly, a tournament victory – even one in a competition as low profile as this – validates the work being done by the players and management behind the scenes and, clearly, they are moving in the right direction.

Indeed, one of the most notable attributes of a number of Galway players is how much they have bulked up physically this year, with the gym work initiated under the Ger Loughnane regime and continued by John McIntyre and his management team finally paying dividends.

Two players who certainly looked to have benefitted were midfielder Ger Farragher and full-forward Joe Gantley. Although sharpshooter Farragher contributed nine points from midfield, six from placed balls, he proved himself, time and again, to be strong in the challenge and under the high ball and astute in his shooting and distribution. No more could be asked of a midfield player.

In top physical condition, Joe Gantley has begun to realise his potential on the inter-county scene. Consequently, his confidence is high at the moment while his touch on Sunday was immaculate. In many respects, this competition has given the Beagh man an opportunity to stake his claim and a tally of 1-3 from play against Dublin has definitely strengthened his cause.

His total could have been more had a 32nd minute effort not been disallowed by referee James Owens, who judged Gantley to have picked the ball off the ground. It appeared to be a dubious decision but, then again, so did a number of decisions made by officials over the 70 minutes.

For more, read page 30 of this week's Connacht Sentinel.