Chunky’s entry proved pivotal
As a result, very little free flowing hurling was in evidence and for the most part the inside forward lines saw very few quality deliveries. Cork’s full-forward line threatened to overrun Galway’s rearguard early on, Kieran Murphy had two good points and Aisake O hAilpín had the upper hand, but the supply dried up.
Cork’s full-back line, with Shane O’Neill outstanding all through and Eoin Cadogan coping well at different times on Joe Canning, held the much-heralded Galway inside line to three points from play.
Galway had been very bright in the early part of the second half. The work rate of their half forwards and Ger Farragher at midfield put Cork under pressure and gaps, non-existent in the first half, began to appear. Cork hung on, and though chasing the game, they were never out of the contest as they tried manfully.
However, the well worn cliché that “goals win matches” was in vogue again on Saturday night. Kevin Hayes’ entry to the fray for Galway made a difference, however. Operating on the right flank of the attack, he gave Galway some new direction, playing as he does with Portumna, giving directed passes to his team mates, with one ‘peach’ resulting in the goal that gave Galway the impetus to drive on to the finish line.
2 COMPARE AND CONTRAST. Galway supported each other very quickly and effectively, allowing a man under pressure to pass from the tackle. Cork weren’t quite as effective as their opponents in this department.
Joe Canning scored six points from frees around the middle of the park in the first half; Ben O’Connor scored six points from frees in the second. No difference there? Cork conceded ridiculous fouls for no value in the first half, three in the Galway half with no danger of scores if the foul was not conceded.
Galway conceded most of their frees when Cork attackers drove towards goal and defenders felt that goals might accrue if the play wasn’t stopped. John Lee, on a yellow from the first half, was lucky to stay on the field when he deliberately fouled Timmy McCarthy as the Corkman drove through the centre.
Galway have learned not to give up goal chances and that to concede a pointed free is far better than the concession of a goal; Kilkenny play with the same mentality.
Cork missed a few scoring chances from placed balls; Galway didn’t. They also took their clear-cut goal chance through substitute Joe Gantley cracking home a simple chance; Cork substitute Niall McCarthy, moving at full pace and off balance, missed a great chance as he shot for the corner and pulled his shot wide, with ‘keeper Callanan beaten.
3 WHAT IMPRESSED ME. I was impressed with Galway’s management on the line. They moved very quickly with switches once they saw any semblance of Cork dominance.
In the first half, Ollie Canning wasn’t coping with Kieran Murphy early on and Fergal Moore was switched across immediately. Similarly, in the second half when Ben O’Connor threatened to run riot against converted wing back Eoin Lynch, they dispatched Damien Joyce from the other wing, where his tidy play steadied the ship.
Their substitutions worked well also, Joe Gantley being in the right place at the right time as a good corner forward should for the vital goal. The removal of Cyril Donnellan, who had been mastered by Cork centre-back Ronan Curran, meant the introduction of a very fit looking Kevin “Chunky” Hayes, who played very well.
Galway’s work rate and the intensity of tackling by their half-forward line forced Cork’s half-back line into hurried play and ill-directed clearances – there was a massive contribution from Aonghus Callanan in this regard. His move to centre-forward at a time when the play was opening up created space and scoring chances for others in the last 10 minutes as Cork drove forward.
John Gardiner’s switch with Tom Kenny worked to the benefit of the team but moving Pa Cronin to the wing reduced his effectiveness. Cork’s management introduced four subs but they didn’t have the same impact as Galway’s.
l Limerick got a fright from a young, eager well coached Laois outfit but their experience and strength got them through. Dublin will now be hot favourites which will suit Limerick nicely but they still struggle up front.
