Rampant Tribesmens' statement of intent

MAYBE we have seen it many times before, maybe Galway hurlers did no more than what was expected, but you’d still have to be impressed with the levels of fitness, teamwork and sharpness in what is becoming an almost annual annihilation of Antrim at Casement Park, Belfast, on Saturday.Fielding a much altered selection from their National League final loss to Tipperary in late April, Galway were simply awesome at times – even allowing for the poverty of the opposition – and there is no doubt that they have the armoury and talent to go a long way in this year’s championship. The cynics will understandably argue that what Galway achieved in Belfast must be taken with a pinch of salt and that Antrim are miles removed from the Kilkennys of this world but, yet, one couldn’t deny the energy and fluency of the winners in this 26 point romp before an attendance of around 2,000.It was a compelling statement of intent and though Antrim collapsed altogether when substitute Michael McCambridge was dismissed for an off-the-ball pull on Eugene Cloonan in the 53rd minute, Galway’s work ethic and overall commitment certainly left a positive impression. Of course, nobody in the Tribesmen’s camp would .........................