'We will need to be at the top of our game to beat Limerick' says Galway forward Cathal Mannion
CATHAL Mannion’s role in the Galway senior hurling team has changed significantly this season. After picking up an All-Star and finishing as Galway’s chief scorer in last year's championship, where he racked up an impressive 2-67, Mannion has taken on a different responsibility for the Tribesmen.
Mannion has played in a deeper role throughout this year’s championship, where he has excellently linked play between defence and attack and has almost played like a quarterback at times.
However, Mannion doesn’t feel his role has changed that much within the Galway team.
“I’ve played midfield a lot with the club, a lot underage so there’s very little difference to be honest. Nowadays if you look at any midfielder, you’ll find them anywhere on the pitch, they have to get back, help out, get forward and get a score or provide a score whatever the case is,” said Mannion.
“I just try and do what the lads ask me to do, you could find yourself anywhere, picking up anyone at any stage. That’s the reality of it.”
Inter-county teammates, Cathal and his brother Padraic, along with Galway hurling captain Darren Morrisey, Brian Concannon and Daniel Loftus all work together as teachers in St Cuan’s Castleblakeney.
“We do (spend a lot of time together) but I suppose everyone is busy in school, there’s very few times that we are all sitting down together. We see each other a lot outside of school which is great, regardless of who you are talking to. There's probably a lot of sport to talk about, it’s great to have lads around.”
Micheal Donoghue and his management team introduced a new playing style this season, flooding the middle third and, at times, playing with huge numbers behind the ball. Their counter-attacking game plan has created space in attack, allowing Galway to use their pace to exploit opposition defences.
“We haven’t thought about it, it’s something the lads brought, they asked us to try and implement it and we do it as best we can. As I said out there, it’s a work in progress, every game you’re trying to change or improve something or notice something may not have worked or whatever the case is. It’s by no means finished, there’ll always be tweaks to be made.”
Galway’s turnaround in form in the past twelve months has been one of the most impressive aspects of their season this year.
Losing by eight points last year in the All-Ireland SHC quarter final to Tipperary, they looked to be well off the pace. Remarkably the influx of youngsters have brought a renewed energy and freshness to the Galway ranks this season which has landed them in their first All-Ireland final since 2018.
“Every year is different, probably from experience you just move on quickly. We treated this year differently again, we put a big emphasis on Leinster thankfully we got over that. Then after that, we looked forward to the Cork game and we look forward to the next day.
The 31-year old is aware of the challenge Limerick will pose having been part of the Tribesmen’s teams who have suffered three All-Ireland semi-finals defeats to the Shannonsiders in 2020, 2022 and 2023.
“(Limerick) have been the most consistent team, you have to be at the top of your game if you want to beat them, they’ve showed it again this year.
“It’s going to be a massive challenge, the biggest one so far this year. Our job as players now is to prepare as best we can and if we do, it gives you confidence to go into the game, that’s our aim,” added Mannion.