Abbey-Duniry trio provide the inspiration

WHEN France won football’s World Cup in 1998 with a sprinkling of Arsenal players, an English tabloid famously produced the headline: Arsenal 3 Brazil 0.

Perhaps some of the local news sheets in Galway will get a similar notion after their minors claimed a ninth All-Ireland title thanks in no small part to the efforts of Abbey-Duniry players.

Captain Shane Maloney, who shot 1-9 and tore Dublin’s defence asunder, hails from the club as does star full-back Paul Killeen and inspirational midfielder Padraig Brehony.

“The three outstanding players on the pitch were probably the Abbey-Duniry fellas,” said manager Mattie Murphy who achieved a remarkable sixth title success with Galway. “Shane played a very important part in the 2009 final and he took on the responsibility very well today as captain. Paul Killeen at full-back was very good too and he’s minor again next year. They were the mainstays of our team.”

Murphy wasn’t overawed by the sight of Dublin knocking 6-19 past Waterford in the semi-final.

“Minor can be fickle and if you go in expecting a team to lie down you are in a very bad place. We weren’t overly worried about reputations.”

Galway stood up throughout the game, setting the tone with a brilliant defensive display.

“We were probably a bit shy on defenders earlier in the year,” admitted Murphy. “We took a small bit of a gamble and played Adrian Tuohy there and he was very comfortable. We hadn’t as much cover for the backs as in the forwards. That was a bit of a weakness in our set-up.”

So how does the latest success compare to the five others annexed by Murphy since 1992? “They all bring something different. Each panel you work with there is a different magnetism within the group. A lot of them were very disappointed last year when we got hammered by Kilkenny. They knew they hadn’t done themselves justice and had a point to prove. It was just ferocious commitment.”

Dublin boss Shay Boland admitted his side never got to the pitch of the game. “Never really got out of the blocks,” said Boland. “We conceded a few soft frees and it was always going to be difficult to come back.”