McIntyre: We had champions on ropes

I CAME, I saw, I conquered — the message from Julius Caesar to the Senate in Rome after his victory over Pharnaces to retake the Eastern Provinces in 47 BC, probably the most succinct message ever sent.

On Saturday, the Tribesmen of Galway crossed the Shannon to Tullamore in their bid to conquer another eastern province. John McIntyre, Galway’s Caesar, is another eloquent man, if not quite so succinct. They came, yes, they saw, yes, and though they didn’t conquer, they did strike a mighty blow against the All-Ireland champions and, in the process, sent a message to the rest of hurling.

“Any time you lose you’re disappointed, that’s what sport is all about, but that is as close as any team has got to Kilkenny in the last three years and that is something to build on.