Moloney and Breheny to seize the day

STEPHEN GLENNON

TYNAGH/Abbey-Duniry duo Shane Moloney and Padraig Breheny think little of reputations, particularly when it comes to their opponents. This they have proved time and again, no more so in the 2010 senior hurling championship when both teenagers dismantled some of the bigger names on the local scene on route to the county semi-final.

Quite simply, Moloney and Breheny are fearless, a trait they once again unashamedly flaunted in the All-Ireland semi-final against highly fancied Munster champions, Clare. Favourites’ tags and bookmakers’ odds mean nothing to them. For them, there is just the hurl, the sliotar, the fundamental principles of the team and an insatiable will to win.

However, on Sunday at Croke Park, Moloney and Breheny will face their biggest challenge to date when they take on Dublin – another vaunted outfit, another provincial champion – in what promises to be an intriguing All-Ireland minor hurling final. It’s time to play ball. It’s time to live the dream.

“Growing up, it is where every young lad wants to be, Croke Park on All-Ireland final day,” states Galway captain Moloney. “Now, we are there, we have that chance, and please God we can do it against the Dubs.

“We saw Dublin against Waterford and you would have to give them due respect. They are a big set of men and all well able to hurl. Any team that scores six goals [in an All-Ireland semi-final] you would have to be a little bit worried. However, as Mike (Haverty, trainer) said this morning, ‘yes, they might be big men, but what wins the game is putting the ball between the posts’.

“So, we will try to move the ball as quickly as we can and keep the scoreboard ticking over. We will stay with them for the first half and hopefully in the second half we can tear away from them. It isn’t going to be easy – we are going to be under a bit of pressure – but sure there is also a bit of pressure on Dublin as well. We are going up there to win, as are Dublin, but hopefully it will be us coming home with the cup.”

Indeed, dead ball specialist Moloney – who tallied 0-10 against Clare in the semi-final and is already one of the leading scorers from play in the senior hurling championship – says the most important detail is that the Galway players’ focus on themselves and not get bogged down with the opposition.

“Everyone is pushing hard trying to claim one of the 15 starting spots or, indeed, trying to claim a spot on the match-day 24. So, everyone is pushing hard and training has been going well, especially in the last three weeks. This week, we are trying to keep things ticking over, getting everyone together to get a bit more ball work in.”

Having already claimed an All-Ireland minor medal in 2009, Moloney will look to bring that experience to the fore on Sunday. That said, when the Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry sharpshooter is reminded of his past exploits at this grade, it is interesting that it is last year’s All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Kilkenny that he touches upon first . . . winners don’t like to lose and that in itself is often the only motivation a player needs.

“You would often hear the saying that you learn more when you lose than when you win,” continues Moloney. “I think there are 13 of last year’s panel back here again this year and we would often mention at training about the hurt of the defeat [to Kilkenny] last year. That is driving us on this year. Hopefully, we can make amends for that performance in the final on Sunday.”

His club-mate Breheny, another of last year’s survivors, believes Galway can secure a victory, although he notes it will take a huge performance to do so. “We are under no illusions. Dublin are a very strong team. They are very skilful. We know how good they are but we can only focus on our own performance.

“We will have a look at some of their key players alright, but we have to focus on our own performance and look at how we will adapt to the game. We also have to start quickly, because if we start like we did against Clare, the chance might be gone by half-time. So, we have to go out all guns blazing at the start.”

Of course, the likes of Moloney and Breheny have the experience to do that, but not every player will settle in as quickly. “People adapt to it differently. Some people will be nervous, others will be calm. Everyone has a different way of dealing with the pressure [of the occasion].

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.