Galway 3-28 New York 0-20
There was a great crowd at Gaelic Park, a great atmosphere, ideal weather conditions and a great contest, at least for the first half, between Galway and New York on Sunday. The second half was a different kettle of fish as evidenced by the scoreline.
There was just a goal between the sides at the break, Galway led by 1-12 to 0-12. However in the second half Galway outscored New York by 2-16 to 0-8. Over the course of the game 14 different scorers hit the target for the Galwegians, as they progressed to the next stage in Connacht championship.
This was the first occasion that New York played under the new rules and Galway seemed well tuned as within 15 seconds of the throw-in John Maher pointed after Mathew Tierney set the scene without a New York player touching the ball. Then on a counter attack Rob Wharton was fouled close to midfield. Frank O’Reilly’s long distance kick looked destined for a two-pointer but was tipped over the bar to register just a singleton. The early exchanges were fierce and intense and New York’s in your face policing had their opponents rattled, forcing them to kick three consecutive wides. Then on the five minute mark, Mathew Tierney goaled after Brian Mannion laid off the pass. The other Mathew, Thompson, picked up a yellow card for a high tackle. Daniel O’Flaherty landed Galway’s second point after forcing a turnover, but Bobby O’Regan registered New York’s second with a pointed free.
Galway kept the pressure on and tagged on two points courtesy of Kieran Molloy and Finnian O’Laois to open up a five-point gap at the quarter mark. A Frank O’Reilly two pointer reduced the deficit to a goal and then Kieran Murphy, after some fine aerial fielding, struck a fine point. New York were enjoying a dominant spell, orchestrated by the midfield dominance of Murphy and McElligot. Galway had a let-off when Jackie Robinson, New York’s best forward, sliced through the defense and crashed his shot off the upright. Play switched to the other end with Galway hitting a brace courtesy of Robert Finnerty and Matthew Thompson with Kieran Molloy being instrumental in setting up the chances.
It was tit for tat now as Robinson was involved in the next two scores. First, he set up Cian O’Dea for a point, and then Robinson capitalized on a great catch by Murphy for the second.
There was a bout of consternation in the Galway camp as John Maher went off injured, but he was replaced by a fine substitute, Paul Conroy. New York now had the deficit at two, but points from Daniel O’Flaherty and Brian Mannion extended the lead, and Frank O’Reilly hit back with a two-pointer that evolved from an off-the-ball incident.
Galway looked to be finishing strong as they put four points on the board, singletons from Sean Kelly, Robert Finnerty and Mathew Tierney made New York pay for indiscretion with a two-pointer, to open up a six points lead 1-12 to 0-9. New York rode out the period with gusto as James Walsh struck for a two and Bobby O’Regan punished with a pointed free for a foul on himself, to leave the score at 1-12 to 0-12 at the short whistle.
Galway: Conor Flaherty(0-2); Johnny McGrath, Sean Fitzgerald, Jack Glynn; Kieran Molloy(0-1), Sean Kelly(capt,0-2), Cian Heron(1-0); Matthew Tierney(2-4), John Maher(0-1); Matthew Thompson(0-3), Cillian McDaid(0-1), Daniel O’Flaherty(0-2); Brian Mannion(0-1), Robert Finnerty(0-6), Finnian O’Laoi(0-1). Subs Paul Conroy(0-2), Liam O’Conghaile(0-2), Cathal Sweeney, Cian Darcy,
New York: Joey Grace; Cian O’Dea(0-2), Sean Wilson, Noel Hatton; Donal Hunt, Rob Wharton, James Walsh(0-2); Eoghan McElligot, Kieran Murphy; Tiarnan Mathers, Frank O’Reilly(0-7), Shane Brosnan(capt); Jack Robinson(0-6), Adam Loughlin-Stones, Bobby O’Regan(0-4). Subs Ryan Corrigan, Jamie Boyle, Mathew Queenan, Sean Horan, Tadgh O’Riordan, Michael McCarthy, Michael Argue, Killian Butler, Mikey Brosnan, Jack Reilly, Joe Hagan,
Referee Joe McQuillan (Cavan).
GAA RESULTS
HL Division 1A final
Cork 3-24 Tipperary 0-23
HL Division 1B final
Waterford 1-27 Offaly 2-20
Ulster SFC preliminary round
Donegal 1-25 Derry 1-15
Leinster SFC Round 1
Meath 1-30 Carlow 0-19
Wicklow 2-23 Longford 1-20
Laois 2-21 Wexford 2-11
Connacht SFC quarter-final
Mayo 2-20 Sligo 2-17
Roscommon 2-26 London 0-13
Galway 3-28 New York 0-20
Munster SFC quarter-finals
Tipperary 1-22 Waterford 1-19
Cork 0-24 Limerick 0-13
