John Fogarty: Hurling's phoney war is almost over

Mon, 07 Jun, 2021 - 07:00

John Fogarty is the Irish Examiner’s GAA correspondent, with unique insights into the action on the pitch and in the Gaelic games’ corridors of power.

Shane O’Neill’s exasperation with a question he considered highlighted another problem with the state of hurling was obvious following Sunday’s win over Waterford. Asked if the high rate of scoring was sustainable, the Galway manager responded: “Last week we were giving out we only scored 0-24 and now we score 4-28 and the scores are unattainable.”

All that was missing from O’Neill’s reaction was a “are you not entertained?” Galway and Waterford provided plenty of that in Salthill but the intensity left a lot to be desired. Such was its proximity to the start of the Championship that there was a natural reluctance to go full pelt.