Due to a technological glitch, of the 21st century variety, the Echo's sports department received a short version of the big-game report from Gaelic Park, which was printed in yesterday's paper. Here's the full version.
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 for the first half between Galway and New York. The second half was a different kettle of fish as evidenced by the score line.
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, and over the course of the game 14 different scores hit the target for the Galwegians.
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 Matthew 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.
On the five-minute mark, Matthew Tierney goaled after Brian Mannion laid off the pass. The other Matthew, 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’Laoi 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 a 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, but Frank O’Reilly hit back with a two-pointer that evolved from an off-the-ball incident.
Galway looked to finish strong as they put four points on the board, singletons from Sean Kelly and Robert Finnerty and Matthew 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.
The start to the second half was a replica of the first half with Matt Thompson at the end of a three player splitting the posts without a New York player touching the ball. Two minutes later, Rob Finnerty struck a two-pointer to open up a six-point gap. However, New York were staying in touch as the ever dangerous Jack Robinson forced keeper Flaherty to deflect a goal-bound effort over the crossbar for a point. Then some tenacious tackling by Tiarnan Mathers forced a turnover, and set the stage for another Robinson point. However Galway hit back with a brace, Matt Thompson had the first. Sean Kelly powered his way up the middle and looked to be in goal-scoring territory, but flicked over instead.
When play switched to the other end a long distance free from Frank O’Reilly, New York’s superb free-taker, drifted wide before Robinson, continuing to taunt his marker, curled over another beauty from the corner. Galway then introduced Cathal Sweeney and Cian Darcy to the front lines, and Darcy announced his arrival with a superb catch and quickly laid off the ball to another substitute, who was fouled. Rob Finnerty tapped over the resultant free to increase the lead to seven points. Finnerty added another free with the umpire initially waving a yellow flag but he was rightly over-ruled by the referee.
Though possession was decreasing and the deficit increasing, New York continue to battle stubbornly as Robinson and Reilly, New York’s chief marksmen kept the score board moving. The corner man landed another spectacular point and the “forty” man sailed over another two pointer to remain in Galway’s sight. However the start of the fourth quarter spelled the beginning of the end for New York’s challenge when goal number two was struck. Man of the match Matt Tierney set up Cian Hernon for the decisive score.
Galway were now in full attack mode as Tierney and Liam O’Conghaile followed with points before Tierney buried the third goal after it rebounded of the post, Cillian McDaid chipped over another point before Galway looked set for a fourth goal, but keeper Joey Grace bravely denied substitute Sweeney with a superb save. New York were under siege as Conroy, O’Conghaile and Tierney hit late points. Still New York like a well beaten but brave fighter came off the ropes to land a flurry towards the end. First Jack Robinson, in a bout of sheer artistry, dodged and weaved his way past defenders to get a gem of a score. Bobby O’Regan struck a two-pointer as time ebbed away. However the last score came from the last line of defense as keeper Conor Flaherty sauntered up the field to hit a two-pointer from away outright wing to add his name to scoring sheet.
Galway as expected were victors in a game that in essence it pitted a division-one caliber team against a squad from division four. Galway are ranked as one of the top teams in the country, and still it was a quite competitive contest until the two goals arrived in the last quarter. Critics or cynics would point to the17-point deficit, which is undeniable.
Nonetheless, you shouldn’t throw out the baby with the bathwater. From a positive perspective, New York scored 20 points against last year’s All Ireland finalists and one of the favorites for the 2025 title. Also bear in mind the upright saved Galway’s hide on two occasions. Going forward this display should engender an air of optimism in Ronan McGinley’s squad. Perhaps they might be on the cusp of a first victory in the Tailteann Cup.
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) for John Maher, Liam 0’Conghaile,Cathal Sweeney for Finnian O’Laoi, Cian Darcy for Brian Mannion, Pat Egan for Kieran Molloy.
Man of the Match (Galway): Matt Tierney
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); Man of the Match (Galway): Matt Tierney
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.
Man of the Match (New York): Jack Robinson
Referee Joe McQuillan(Cavan)
