Tribesmen bounce back with terrific victory over Banner men

Clare 0-17

A day of redemption for Galway hurling. So many ghosts were buried in Semple Stadium, Thurles last Sunday that it’s no wonder Clare were spooked by what their fired-up Western neighbours brought to this hard-fought All-Ireland championship quarter-final.

After taking a battering from the critics in the wake of the Leinster decider, it was time for Galway to stand up and be counted, and with obvious fire in their bellies, the men in maroon rose magnificently to the challenge in setting up another big collision with Tipperary at Croke Park next month.

We have often seen more swashbuckling and classy hurling for Galway in the past, but it’s doubtful if Sunday’s level of commitment and intensity has ever been surpassed. They worked like savages from start to finish, and physically, also had Clare’s number.

This was the ideal opportunity for Galway to bury the lazy narrative that they don’t have either bottle or resolution, and boy did they embrace that chance with a rousing display, laced with industry and dogged determination. There was heroic defending at one end and the ability to conjure up some great scores, especially when needed, at the other.

Galway hardly took a backwards step all afternoon as the players and team management turned a difficult season on its head to suddenly emerge as serious title challengers again. It was brilliant to see a group of men so ridiculed all year finally show the heart and courage to back up their undoubted talent.

This was the perfect response to the flak, particularly the more cutting insults, as Galway showed pride in abundance in restoring their reputations. As a team, they took gallantry to new levels and, significantly, didn’t blink when Clare belatedly woke up to the seriousness of their plight in the second-half.

If the players justify all the garlands being showered on them, the Galway management must also take a bow. Micheál Donoghue, Francis Forde and Noel Larkin kept their heads down in difficult circumstances but, more importantly, put a plan together to counteract Clare’s almost manic fixation with tactics.

The decision to release Johnny Coen to midfield was vindicated, if only for the invaluable impetus he gave Galway at the start of both halves; the selection of Adrian Tuohy was a real springer, but the Beagh man made light of being thrown in at the deep end; and, furthermore, the Tribesmen got nearly all their match-ups right.

Padraig Mannion stuck like a leech to a somewhat subdued Tony Kelly; the terrific Daithí Burke hardly gave Aaron Shanagher a look in; the teak-tough John Hanbury never left Shane O’Donnell’s shoulder; while the decision to employ the excellent Aidan Harte as sweeper could hardly have turned out better. He hit an ocean of ball, not always well directed mind you, but the Gort clubman was up for the battle.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.