Hurlers step up to plate

 STEPHEN GLENNON

GALWAY captain Fergal Moore said it was “a weight of the shoulders” to return to winning ways after the Tribesmen, having been unable to secure a win in their previous three outings, defeated Waterford on Sunday to book their place in the National Hurling League semi-finals.

Anthony Cunningham’s squad will face Kilkenny in the April 21 showdown while, on the other side of the draw, Division 1A winners Tipperary will meet the victors of the Division 1B final between Dublin and Limerick, a game which takes place this weekend.

As for Galway though, captain Moore said it was a relief to be able to put recent poor displays against Clare, Tipperary and Cork behind them and they are now ready to move on and up the ante for the remainder of their league campaign.“We are pleased to come down here and take the two points,” said Moore after Galway’s 0-15 to 0-12 victory over Waterford at Walsh Park on Sunday. “It is a place we haven’t come too often and got a result.

“We weren’t happy with our league performances in some of the earlier rounds, in particular the Tipperary game and even the last day against Cork. So, it was all about getting the two points today and we are delighted to have been able to do that.”

No doubt, there was great purpose in Galway’s win over Sunday’s then league leaders Waterford but rather than put this down to a change in emphasis in the squad’s training over the past week or so, Moore believed it came down to a adjustment in attitude and a good playing surface.

“I think the dry sod helped today; it is a lovely pitch down here. I also think our attitude really was the name of the game. Everybody turned up to play today and fight for each other and when you have that frame of mind, backed up with the work-rate, you always have a chance of winning.”

From a Galway perspective, you felt going into this contest that a win was vital. For one, a defeat would have left them, once again, teetering on the brink of relegation while, secondly, it was imperative the Tribesmen reached the NHL semi-finals given the long run-in they have to the Leinster championship.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.