Battling Galway offer hope of better days ahead

WATERFORD   0-24

A gutsy Galway continue to claw their way back to where they need to be come Summer but, despite this hard-earned NHL draw against Waterford at Walsh Park on Sunday, they must first contend with a relegation scrap against Cork if they are to retain their Division 1A status going forward.

That fixture on Sunday week is pivotal for the Tribesmen and the thought of dropping to Division 1B where the pace of the game, for the most part, is remarkably slower should be enough to draw a performance from Micheal Donoghue’s charges. Certainly, they have been building towards it.

For this contest against Waterford was another decent showing from the Westerners, who, no more than against Tipperary the week previous, really should have come away with both National League points having led the game late on.

Indeed, when Galway hit four points on the bounce through Cathal Mannion (2), substitute Conor Whelan and captain David Burke between the 64th and 67th minutes to hit the front, it looked as though they had stolen it.

However, a composed Waterford responded with a massive point from wing-back Gavin O’Brien in injury-time to deny Galway the victory. In truth, it mattered little as with Tipperary accounting for Cork in Thurles, the Tribesmen’s fate – and Cork’s – was already sealed.

Still, there were plenty of positives from this one. Firstly, Galway were far more competitive when it came to winning primary possession, although they will be disappointed that they coughed up their last two puck-outs to Waterford when the game was in the proverbial melting pot.

They were also strong in the rucks and while Waterford may have edged the count, the likes of Niall Burke, Cathal Mannion and Davy Glennon showed well in this regard. It is always a plus when you have your offensive players working for the ‘dirty’ ball.

In addition, there were also assured performances at the back from goalkeeper James Skehill, who pulled off a magnificent save from Shane Bennett in the 26th minute, and defenders Paul Hoban (until sustaining an injury) and, in particular, Fergal Moore.

Full report in this week's Connacht Tribune.