Cork wriggle off the ropes

AN inevitable outcome in the end for a game which promised a twist in the tale for long periods before Galway went the same way as boxer Willie Casey on Saturday night without any ‘big bang’ involved.

The Tribesmen had Cork on the ropes at Pearse Stadium but with Páraic Joyce, Michael Meehan and Sean Armstrong sidelined through injury, they lacked a killer punch to floor the champions.

Instead, Conor Counihan emptied his bench and the holders just wore down the Galway challenge to pull away for a win which gives them a decent shot at making a tilt at retaining their title.