Two Big Macs, but only one with real bite

IT’S SAID a team reflects the personality of its manager; this All-Ireland SHC qualifier offered diametrically opposing arguments on that particular hypothesis. On the one hand, offering proof positive was Galway.

In his own playing days with Tipperary in the 80s, John McIntyre was a strong, forceful, honest, totally committed hurler.

Saturday evening, Galway looked like a team of 15 John McIntyres; they simply crushed Clare, didn’t so much outhurl them as outwork them, outmuscle them – most un-Galway like. Everywhere a ball landed there was a Galway man in position, soon supported by one, two, even three. The effort so evident in the loss to Kilkenny was again on view but this time there was no let-up, no valley period, and from first whistle to last Galway were on top. 0-7 to 0-2 after the first quarter, 1-8 to 0-5 at the break, 1-11 to 0-6 after three quarters, 2-18 to 1-11 at the death – inexorable Galway progress.