Galway must make most of scoring chances

As Anthony and Ger Cunningham prepare for Saturday’s Leinster senior hurling championship replay in Tullamore both bosses have plenty to ponder.

The Galway management must be relieved to have a second chance given they had 42% possession on Sunday. Of greater concern is the fact they only took 18 of their 35 scoring chances in such a close contest.

Dublin on the other hand will look at Galway’s tackle count of 91 in comparison to their 69 and accept that they will have to work much harder to match the physicality of the Tribesmen in the key middle third battleground.

Galway started this game in whirlwind fashion. By the 19th minute they led 1-6 to 0-3 and that lead was built on the back of a period where they had a tackle count of 36 to Dublin’s 16.

Galway simply pummelled Dublin players in possession. In the second quarter Dublin regained composure and slowly gained a foothold but Ger Cunningham will no doubt want his side to hit the ground running next time out.

By half time Galway’s tackle count was 50 compared to Dublin’s 36. In the second half Galway had a tackle tally of 41 to Dublin’s 31. If Dublin’s poorer work rate was an issue then Galway’s inability to win primary possession from puck-outs also proved costly.

Dublin won 14/17 of their own puck-outs in the first half and 20/33 in total in the opening 35 minutes. Galway did redress the balance on the restart and they also managed to negate their inability to win primary possession with that ferocious work rate. Dublin’s tackling was much more disciplined than Galway’s however.

Dublin conceded just 10 frees while Galway conceded 15. A difference of five may not sound like much but they were punished time and again by the accuracy of David Treacy from placed balls. The Cuala clubman finished with 11 points (eight from frees) while Joe Canning finished with four pointed frees. Canning really had an off day and his tally of five wides proved costly for Galway.

There were a number of outstanding individual performances in Croke Park. Danny Sutcliffe topped the individual possession total with 20. This included six puck-outs won, five shots on goal (three of which were points) and also two score assists. Galway’s top performer was Cyril Donnellan with 17 possessions, nine shots on goal (with a disappointing return of just three points). Donnellan also won four puck-outs and had two assists.

Once again Galway will surely hope to get more from Joe Canning who finished the game with just seven possessions in total. While no two games are the same Galway will hope that greater accuracy, a better ability to win primary possession and more discipline in the tackle will be the catalyst for victory in the replay. Dublin will look to a greater work rate, a more energetic start to the game and better use of possession as the keys to success.