Inside Track: Galway’s cover is blown and that’s no bad thing!
THERE is little point in trying to put the lid on expectations now. Any team which beats Kilkenny by 18 and 15 points respectively in the space of six weeks can no longer escape the resulting hype or publicity.
We appreciate Kilkenny hurling is experiencing its biggest crisis of modern times and their current senior outfit is only a pale imitation of some of the great the teams the county has produced, but the way Galway have twice cut them to size at Pearse Stadium in 2026 has been mightily impressive.
Kilkenny would have travelled to Salthill last Saturday with all the motivation in the world after their league humiliation. We were all braced for an aggressive and high intensity effort, but it didn’t really materialise while Galway’s tactic of moving the ball at pace took some of the physicality out of the action.
Ultimately, Kilkenny just couldn't cope with Galway's mobility, movement and teamwork. The match was virtually done and dusted by the break when the hosts led by five points having faced the elements. And once John Donnelly was dismissed, the Cats could have limped home there and then.
Yet, there is an obligation to keep things in perspective. Sure, hammering Kilkenny is great, but Limerick, Cork, Clare and Tipperary would probably have done the same against a team in something of a crisis, while Galway must now cope with raised expectations as the championship progresses. That’s alright, however, as it shows the Tribesmen are on the right road.
Giving one fifth of their team a championship start was a bold move by Micheál Donoghue and his management, and they were vindicated in spectacular fashion. Rory Burke, Aaron Niland and Jason Rabbitte – sorry Joe (his dad) I think he's a better stickmen than you were – made hay up front; Cian Daniels got the basics spot on around midfield, while Cillian Trayers got more comfortable as the match progressed.
Moving Tiernan Killeen to the freedom of midfield also paid rich dividends, and when you have the Mannion brothers, Cathal and Padraic, Conor Whelan and Daithí Burke proving a hardcore of experience, Galway look exceptionally well balanced.
Furthermore, Gavin Lee made light of his injury lay-off with a spectacular opening half display, with Darren Morrissey, until his injury, again revelling in the captaincy role, and apart from a couple of stray puck-outs, Darach Fahy had an assured outing between the posts.
But, perhaps, the biggest wonder of all is which member of the Galway backroom thought Ronan Glennon would make a corner back
But, perhaps, the biggest wonder of all is which member of the Galway backroom thought Ronan Glennon would make a corner back. The Mullagh man scored two points from 'down town' and is revelling in his new role. Also encouraging was the impact off the bench. Darragh Neary – a flier down the wing – and Conor Cooney were very quick to settle, with Kieran Hanrahan fitting in seamlessly at the back.
The match itself was no blockbuster and it would be no surprise if Offaly cause Galway more problems at the same venue on Sunday judging by their vibrant effort against Dublin in Tullamore at the weekend. Johnny Kelly's charges looked transformed from their league displays and were unlucky not to win. Their young players are filling out physically and they are polished stickmen.
THE last time Galway footballers met Leitrim in the Connacht Championship in 2022, they ran amok on a 4-20 to 0-9 scoreline at Pearse Stadium. At least, the provincial minnows will have home advantage on Saturday, but that is unlikely to save them from another heavy defeat.
Last week we speculated on the fitness of Gavin Lee, John Fleming, Daithí Burke and Rory Burke for the hurlers. Ultimately, the quartet all started and impressed. The same curiousity applies to the footballers and the current well-being of former All-Stars Damien Comer, Shane Walsh and Cillian McDaid.
Given that this should be a turkey shoot for the Tribesmen, manager Padraic Joyce is unlikely to risk any of the trio unless they are fully injury free. Far more pressing will be their availability for a Connacht Final tilt against either Mayo or Roscommon.
Connacht
WHAT a win for Connacht against the Stormers on Saturday. They have been clocking up the air miles over the previous week but there was no sign of any jet lag as the Westerners achieved a stunning bonus point victory over their hosts.
After the disappointment of the team's European Challenge Cup exit away to Montpellier the previous weekend, Connacht first had to head home to Galway, regroup, and then head off to South Africa. That was an arduous schedule but they made light of it with a storming finish against the Stormers.
Trailing by ten points in the final quarter and missing internationals Bundee Aki, Finlay Bealham and Mack Hansen, surely it was too big of a mountain for Connacht to climb, but they produced a stunning fightback with tries from John Devine, Ben Murphy and Sean Naughton helping the visitors carry the day on a 33-24 scoreline for one of the province's greatest ever victories.
Almost
IT'S a pity that Wicklow footballers didn't overcome Dublin – and they had the chances to so – in the Leinster semi-final in Aughrim on Sunday. With Dean Healy starring in midfield and Eoin Darch scoring 2-2, the rank outsiders came oh so close to causing the shock of the century.
Some missed frees by goalkeeper Mark Johnson proved particularly costly on an afternoon Dublin were all over the place at times. They survived by two points, but on this evidence they will bow out to champions Louth – so impressive against Wexford at the weekend – in the provincial semi-final.