Galway manager Micheal Donoghue plotting for a serious crack at Cork
GALWAY senior hurling manager Micheal Donoghue has accepted that Cork are favourites heading into this weekend’s All-Ireland semi-final, but he also believes that it is a massive opportunity for his team.
Limerick are also strong favourites to get past Clare in the other All-Ireland semi-final on Sunday at Croke Park. The winners of this weekend’s semi-finals will meet in the All-Ireland final on Sunday, July 19.
“That's fair. That's completely fair and understandable. And it's real. (Limerick and Cork) have been the standard bearers for the last couple of years. They're knocking on the door big time. I said this many years ago, if you want to be successful at the top table, you've got to be knocking on the door and they have been,” said Donoghue.
“Cork have a huge hunger and appetite and they've shown unbelievable consistency to be knocking on the door the whole time. We've nothing but respect for them, the work that's been done in the last couple of years with Pat [Ryan] and Ben O'Connor has come in now and just carried it on and gone to another level.
"We recognise the strength and depth they have in the squad. For us, it's the opportunity. We're very much focussing on ourselves and working as hard as we can. We're really looking forward to getting a crack at it.”
The Galway manager has recognised that interest and excitement have grown around the county in recent weeks and he is hoping that a big Galway support will be able to match the large Cork following in Corker on Saturday.
“This team, as long as I've been involved in it, we totally recognise the importance of the connection with the team and the supporters. I think that's going in the right direction. It's not lost on us and our responsibility in that.
“We have to show the support, the workrate and desire. We understand the accountability and responsibility that's with us when we go out and represent Galway. I think the lads have done that really well and there's a great energy. It's grown now with the support over the last few weeks. Hopefully, it will continue,” added Donoghue.
The Clarinbridge native will be hoping his second stint in charge can follow a similar path to his first term in charge. During his first spell in charge, Galway's 2016 All-Ireland semi-final defeat was followed by an All-Ireland triumph in 2017.
He will be hoping his second stint in charge follows a similar trajectory.