ALL-IRELAND MHC SEMI-FINAL Galway 2-22 Waterford 1-18: THE THREAT of a hurling classic was merely the fizz emanating from an uncorked bottle in yesterday's Croke Park prelude. Instead, we realised that while the embers of Waterford hurling can develop into flames again, it is Galway that remain a serious force at underage.
Manager Mattie Murphy has guided another group back to September. For many, it represents a chance at redemption for defeat to Kilkenny in last year’s All-Ireland final.
They have several excellent contributors with captain Richie Cummins bringing savvy to the forward line, where he is complemented by the brute force of full forward Ronan Badger.
Other attackers deserve a mention, but, suffice to note, that seven of the front eight registered scores from play. And yet, it was the ruthless display of a full-back line, fronted by Domhnaill Fox that deserves the real veneration.
“Funnily enough at the beginning of the year they were kind of a makeshift full-back line,” revealed Murphy. “If you were picking the Galway minor team you wouldn’t have Conor Burke or Seán Coen in the two corners, but they’re exceptionally good hurlers. They did a good job.”
Between these two was a young man named Daithí Burke who has the rare gift of slowing time; breaking up countless Waterford approaches on goal.
Matters flip-flopped along for the opening 20 minutes with Waterford easing into a 0-9 to 0-7 lead off three points from Paudie Mahony, two more from Brian O’Halloran, Martin O’Neill’s unerring free-taking and a fine sideline cut by Finán Murray.
Then Galway dropped the hammer with 1-5 leading into the interval. Cummins initiated the avalanche with a quality catch, turn and strike at pace and from distance.
Moments later, Davy Glennon lofted a ball to Badger, who twisted onto his right side before crashing the sliotar to the net.
O’Neill grabbed a point for Waterford, but this seemed to infuriate Galway as Maloney and Niall Burke quickly responded.
They kept coming early in the second half with Burke and James Regan scores. Still, a six-point margin looked sufficient, especially with Waterford rushing matters in search of a goal when some calmer, long-range shooting seemed a more beneficial option.
The green flag was raised with eight minutes remaining after Galway goalkeeper Fergal Flannery spilled a ball into Mahony’s path. The four-point margin was immediately extended, however, by a Tadgh Harran point.
Galway’s dominant rearguard provided the platform to finish with a flourish as Burke gathered a lofted hand pass from Shane Maloney, taking out three defenders, before a nice, downward drive to the net.
“We came up against a serious outfit in Galway,” admitted Waterford manager Jimmy Meaney. “A little experience possibly from last year’s team that were beaten in an All-Ireland final told. But we can be proud of our guys. It was 17 years since our last Munster championship so that is something we can dwell on over the next couple of months.”
GALWAY: F Flannery; S Coen, D Burke, C Burke; J Brehony, D Fox, J Cooney; J Regan (0-4), D Glennon (0-2); B Flaherty, N Burke (1-7, five frees, 65), J Grealish (0-1); R Cummins (0-3, capt), R Badger (1-1), S Maloney (0-3). Subs: M Horan for J Brehony (17 mins), C Creaney for B Flaherty (40 mins), M Keating for R Cummins (temp, 44-46 mins), T Harran (0-1)for D Fox (49 mins), M Keating for J Grealish (55 mins).
WATERFORD: S O'Keeffe; L Egan, T Costello, M Wyse; J Dee, P Mahony, D Fives; F Murray (0-2, sideline), M O'Neill (0-9, seven frees, 65); P Mahony (1-3), B O'Halloran (0-4), R Cahill; P Prendergast, J Dillon, I Galgey. Subs: K Moore for P Prendergast (36 mins), J Prendergast for R Cahill (42 mins).
Referee: T Carroll(Offaly).
