Galway left devastated by loss to Tipperary
NO matter how many times Galway players have to endure the heartache of big day failure, there is no getting used to the crippling sense of disappointment and misery left in its wake.
Heading into the final quarter in Thurles last Saturday evening, Galway appeared to have every chance of avoiding another championship exit at the county’s bogey venue but, by the end of the All-Ireland qualifier, players were again left to cope with a demoralising loss.
Unfortunately, the closing stages turned into a nightmare as Tipperary really turned the screw to power home by nine points. Galway’s resistance crumbled and their camp was left devastated at making the county’s earliest championship exit in 45 years.
Team captain Joe Canning trudged through the tunnel under the Old Strand after the game like a man heading to Death Row. He could hardly talk, crushed by Galway’s inability to close the deal when they had Tipperary on the rack. Canning struggled to articulate his obvious hurt. “I just don’t know what to say. It’s devastating.”
Long serving defender Fergal Moore was visibly upset too. “Our energy levels dropped, but there are no excuses. I guess a six point lead at this level is nothing. Maybe, we lost concentration for a few minutes and they punished us.
“I wouldn’t be using the two Kilkenny games as an excuse – Tipperary hadn’t played for five weeks and that was hardly ideal either. It’s just heartbreaking.”
Team manager Anthony Cunningham, whose three year term is now over, didn’t try to hide his disappointment either after the game. He admitted that Galway were done no favours by the draw, while having to play three big games in a fortnight drained them.
Full report in this week's Connacht Tribune