Reality check for hurlers
Date Published: {J}
The Galway senior hurling team got a dose of reality at Croke Park on Sunday as a resilient Offaly outfit – who were reduced to 14-men for much of the second half – fought against the wind and the referee to produce a rousing comeback to draw the match with the last puck of an enthralling Leinster semi-final.
Galway’s reputation as a serious challenger for provincial and All-Ireland credits this season suffered a major setback as Offaly corner-forward Shane Dooley – under enormous pressure – landed the equalising free for the underdogs from about 72 yards out from goal to leave the final score 3-16 to 2-19.
Twice in the closing 10 minutes Offaly trailed by two points and looked out of it but Galway panicked, made simple mistakes that proved costly, and twice Offaly bounced back.
We didn’t know it at the time but if Ger Farragher’s first-half side line, which raised a white flag but which was clearly a yard wide, hadn’t been awarded, Galway would be facing the qualifier route.
Galway now have a number of injury concerns – initially it was feared Joe Canning had broken his hand but yesterday it emerged it’s not broken but he has severe bruising.
His brother Ollie (hamstring), Damien Hayes (knee) and David Burke (shoulder) are also in a race to be fit for this Saturday’s replay in Portlaoise on Saturday at 7pm. Andy Smith, however, returns from suspension and is available to play.
They had stormed into a 0-5 to 0-1 lead after 10 minutes and were looking comfortable but, after failing to convert a couple of goal early chances, the men in maroon and white faded out of it when Offaly hit them for 2-3 without reply in the next ten minutes.
For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.