Galway crowned Leinster hurling champions with comfortable win over Dublin
GALWAY were crowned Leinster senior hurling champions with a comprehensive 4-29 to 4-15 win over Dublin on Saturday evening in Croke Park.
After falling short in four of the five last Leinster finals, Galway were finally able to put their struggles in the Leinster Hurling finals to one side and lift the Bob O’Keefe Cup for the first time since 2018.
Micheal Donoghue made some tactical switches to his side moving Cian Daniels back to wing back, moving Darragh Neary into midfield and Conor Whelan moved out to wing forward and all these switches proved decisive.
The Tribesmen were value for their victory and their win never looked in doubt at any stage and they now looked forward to an All-Ireland semi-final in four weeks time.
Galway made an impressive start, storming into a 0-4 to 0-1 advantage within the opening six minutes. Early scores from Conor Whelan, Rory Burke, Tom Monaghan and Aaron Niland gave the men in maroon and white a strong foothold.
Dublin gradually found their rhythm, with Brian Hayes producing a powerful run before setting up Conor Burke for a well-taken point that kept the visitors in contention.
The Tribesmen then enjoyed a dominant five-minute spell, outscoring Dublin by 1-3 to 0-1. Jason Rabbitte began to trouble Paddy Smyth, earning a free that Niland converted, while Rabbitte and Cathal Mannion also raised white flags to stretch Galway’s lead to 0-7 to 0-3.
Galway’s first goal arrived when Whelan blocked down Smyth as he attempted to clear from defence. Rory Burke surged through the middle and Darragh Neary finished the move calmly, sending the sliotar beyond Dublin goalkeeper Eddie Gibbons.
Although Brendan Kenny and Conal Ó Riain responded with points for Dublin, Whelan and Niland struck back to leave Galway seven points clear at 1-9 to 0-5 after 19 minutes. The Dubs rallied through Conor Burke and a pair of Donal Burke frees, trimming the gap to four points and Ó Riain’s goal on 25 minutes brought them right back into the contest trailing by the minimium.
Niland, Monaghan, Glennon and Whelan kept the scoreboard ticking in the closing stages of the first half, while Whitely, Donohue and Kenny added points as Galway led 1-15 to 1-11 at the break.
Galway took complete control after the break, piling on 3-14 in a dominant second-half display that at times made the contest look remarkably straightforward for Donoghue’s side. In contrast, Dublin managed just 3-5 over the final 35 minutes.
By the 52nd minute, Galway had opened up a commanding 1-23 to 1-14 lead. Dublin were offered a glimmer of hope when Conor Whelan was shown a black card for a foul, and Donal Burke capitalised from the resulting penalty, firing emphatically past Darach Fahy.
Any momentum gained from that score was short-lived, however. Aaron Niland and Darragh Neary quickly responded to restore Galway’s cushion, before Niland converted a penalty of his own to leave the winners firmly in control at 2-26 to 2-15.
Conor Cooney then struck Galway’s third goal as they began to pull away, while the influential Tom Monaghan added two further points to underline their dominance.
John Fleming netted a fourth goal late on, and although Dublin grabbed two consolation majors in the closing stages, the westerners were never threatened as they powered to an emphatic 14-point victory.
Galway: A. Niland (1-8, 1-0 pen, 6 frees); T. Monaghan (0-7); C. Whelan (0-5); D. Neary, C. Cooney (1-1 each); J. Fleming (1-0) C. Mannion (1 sideline), R. Glennon (0-2 each); R. Burke, J. Rabbitte, T. Killeen (0-1 each).
Dublin: C. Ó Riain (2-1); D. Burke (1-0 pen, 3 frees), F. Whitely (1-3 each); C. Burke, B. Kenny (0-2 each); J. Hetherton, C. Donohoe, R. Hayes, S. Currie (0-1 each).
GALWAY: D. Fahy; C. Trayers, D. Burke, D. Morrissey (c); R. Glennon, C. Mannion, C. Daniels; T. Killeen, C. Mannion; C. Whelan, T. Monaghan, D. Neary; A. Niland, J. Rabbitte, R. Burke.
Subs: C. Cooney for R. Burke (inj 13); G. Lee for C. Daniels, J. Ryan for R. Glennon (inj) (both 53); J. Fleming for T. Killeen (60); F. Burke for D. Burke (69).
DUBLIN: E. Gibbons; P. Doyle, P. Smyth, C. McHugh; C. Crummey (c), L. Rushe, C. Burke; B. Hayes, C. Donohoe; F. Whitely, D. Burke, D. Power; C. Ó Riain, J. Hetherton, B. Kenny.
Subs for Dublin: R. Hayes for D. Power (28); David Purcell for B. Kenny (inj 35+2); E. O’Donnell for C. Crummey (inj 40); S. Currie for C. Donohoe (48); A. Dunphy for L. Rushe (inj 49); D. Ó Dúlaing for D. Purcell (64).
REFEREE: M Kennedy (Tipperary)