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Monday, July 27, 2009
WATERFORD’S big confrontation against Galway came down to the final five minutes and the turning point was the introduction of Big Dan Shanahan.
Shanahan must have been frustrated on the sideline as the game appeared to be slipping away from the Déise. His younger brother Maurice had been introduced earlier and for a while it looked as if Dan would make no contribution. Eventually, with six minutes of normal time remaining Dan was introduced at full-forward. He announced his arrival with a trademark catch, moved smartly to his left but shot too quickly on the turn and dragged it wide. However, you could see Dan’s enthusiasm and it was evident that if he could get the right ball he would do damage. He had a height advantage and huge experience over Eugene McEntee, the Galway stand-in full back.
With a few minutes left Dan made a great catch and his astute pass to Shane Walsh got the crucial goal for Waterford and they were back to within a point. He was then fouled over on the left and Eoin Kelly, who gave a great performance from frees, knocked over the equaliser.
Galway were visibly rocked and Waterford were on a roll. The vital difference for the last few minutes was Waterford’s greater hunger and determination. Their defence stood firm, they won the 50-50’s and finally John Mullane, who had been held scoreless from play, popped up with the winner.
What a difference a couple of weeks make. Declan Prendergast, who had made a few crucial mistakes in the Munster final, played a huge part in Waterford’s final score, driving upfield on a great run and parting at the right time to Mullane.
Waterford’s never-say-die attitude and their fitness was crucial in that vital last 10 minutes. Galway with all their position were caught in the end and it was Dan’s introduction that made all the difference.
Players are always disappointed when they lose. Some defeats are harder to take than others. Galway will feel that they lost a game they should have won.
At one stage in the second half they led by six points and were in cruise control. However, at no stage would Waterford have felt they were out of the game. Silly errors by Galway allowed Waterford back into this game. Eoin Lynch, the Galway half-back needlessly fouled Mullane as he went down the wing and for 10 minutes in the second-half Galway failed to score.
They had possession but used it badly. Joe Canning is their top forward but he got no quality ball in the second-half. Ger Farragher and his midfield partner Kevin Hynes hit in some aimless ball that went wide or dropped in harmlessly to Waterford goalkeeper Clinton Hennessy.
Last week Galway’s switches and substitutions worked a treat. This weekend it was Waterford who got these decisions correct. Michael Walsh’s switch to midfield with Shane Walsh going to centre-back had a big influence. Eoin Kelly, picked at corner forward, also ended up in his best position around the midfield.
John Mullane’s move to half-forward released him from the shackles of Ollie Canning. His direct running and his winning of frees kept Waterford in touch all through the second-half.
Stephen Molumphy worked hard all through for Waterford and it was this spirit and never-say-die attitude that won it for them in the end.
Damien Hayes got a very good point for Galway near the end and it seemed that Galway would push on for victory from that point as they did last week against Cork. But they didn’t bargain for Waterford’s commitment in the end.
Question marks still remain about Galway’s durability and their supporters will feel they lost the game from a winning position.
Waterford fans gave their team tremendous support and they are back in a semi-final on a revenge mission against Kilkenny.
I said on Saturday, Dublin’s fate against Limerick would be decided by the Metropolitans’ self-belief or lack of it.
When the game was in the melting pot when Limerick drew level with 17 minutes left Dublin lacked the leadership and belief to win at this level.
Dublin’s management may have sown some seeds of doubt as they made a number of changes that may have upset the mentality of the team.
Oisín Gough was missing from the full-back line and their defensive balance was thrown-out. John McCaffrey, used as an extra defender in previous games was in a midfield role but was substituted in the first-half.
Their failure to find colleagues with balls from their own defence sapped their morale and built Limerick’s confidence as the game went on. But the crucial deficiency was their inability to convert chances in the second half. The normally reliable Dotsie O’Callaghan fired two shots wide from favourable positions and Adam McCrabbe missed some vital free chances.
On the other hand Limerick’s Gavin O’Mahony contributed eight points from placed balls, missing absolutely nothing. This had a huge influence on proceedings.
The Limerick tactic of squeezing the play in midfield by playing their half forward line deep upset Dublin and they were knocked out of their usual rhythm. The Limerick half back line and midfield got the upper hand in the vital last 20 minutes.
Paudie McNamara, the big Limerick full-forward, pressurised the Dublin full back line all through and his goal and the penalty he won in the first-half proved crucial in the overall analysis.
Dublin’s normal defensive composure deserted them and Limerick’s battling and never-say-die attitude took over in the last 10 minutes.
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