Big upset as Tribesmen fall to impressive Dublin in delayed U20 decider

Galway 1-18

A summer of high expectations for Galway hurling took an unexpected early hit when a highly-rated county U20 team suffered a shock defeat in this rip-roaring 2020 Leinster final at O’Connor Park, Tullamore on Wednesday evening.

Straight from the throw-in, a superbly drilled Dublin outfit signalled their intent by carrying the battle to the strong pre-match favourites and any illusions about a potential walk in the park for Galway were quickly shattered.

Having hammered Laois before recording a comfortable win over Kilkenny last winter, Galway were being tipped as potential All-Ireland champions, but they were unable to dictate the terms of engagement against fired-up opponents.

Despite Mark Kennedy’s outstanding contribution of six points from play, Galway rarely threatened to cut loose up front, while their defence was dragged all over the place by a livewire Dublin forward division, four of whom scored at least twice from play.

With the vast majority of the Galway squad holders of All-Ireland minor medals, there was no shortage of big-day pedigree in their ranks, but the young Tribesmen were rocked by Dublin’s intensity and can have no complaints about the outcome.

Sure, they had a couple of goal chances near the end – notably from substitute Seán McDonagh – but most of the Galway players were under pressure for long tracts of the game and struggled to build up a head of steam.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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