Galway see off Dublin to win U21 hurling crown

Galway 3-14 Dublin 1-10

At senior level, they’re hurling’s great under-achievers, but Galway continue to embrace the highest levels of excellence in the under-age ranks, their conveyor belt of young talent the constant envy of most counties.

Having claimed another minor All-Ireland last weekend, they duly added the U21 crown with a comfortable and stylish win over Dublin at Semple Stadium.

Tribal class, poise and natural talent led the westerners to a 10-point victory that was never in any doubt.

Dublin lacked the finishing power, and while they battled right to the end, they could never match the composure and teamwork displayed by their opponents.

Dublin recovered from a sluggish start which saw James Regan and Tadgh Haran shoot early points, and their challenge was up and running in the third minute when Thomas Connolly drilled home a goal after goalkeeper Jamie Ryan’s clearance lacked conviction and distance.

But Galway got themselves back in front in the 11th minute when Haran netted from a penalty, after skipper Barry Daly had been hauled down by ‘keeper Ger McManus as he cut inside to head for goal.

The Dubs were level again by the 23rd minute, thanks to points from Kevin O’Loughlin, who converted his third free, and Niall McMorrow.

At this stage the game looked delicately poised, but a Dublin defence that had been peforming heroics, particularly Liam Rushe, Martin Quilty and Jack Doughan, was finally picked open by a slick-moving Tribal attack in the final seven minutes of the half.

They scored 2-2 in the space of six minutes to open up an eight points lead and leave the Metropolitans with a mountain to climb.

David Burke slipped a delightful pass inside to David Glennon for a 28th minute goal, and two minuets later, Regan flew past three defenders to net a wonderful individual effort.

Galway led by 3-6 to 1-4 at the break, and with Johnny Coen and David Burke leading their charge from the central area, they refused to allow the Dubs to play their way back into the game.

O’Loughlin did tag on another couple of frees, and substitute Robbie McMahon hit two points, one of them bringing a superb save from Jamie Ryan, who stretched to deflect his shot over the bar.

Skipper Liam Rushe pushed forward in a bid to lift his side’s spirits, but it was Galway, with David Glennon always a creative influence, had all the answers.

Niall Burke powered over two frees to keep daylight between the sides, and when Dublin did threaten to get some attacking thrust going, Declan Connolly and Ger O’Halloran rose to the occasion at the back.

Right to the finish, the Galway players displayed immense hunger and passion, hunting in packs to close down their opponents as they attempted to build from deep.

And they finished the job off with two late points from David Burke, to claim their first title at this level since 2007.

Galway: J Ryan, D Connolly, N Donoghue, G O'Halloran, J Grealish, P Gordon, R Foy, J Coen, D Burke (0-3, 1f), B Daly (0-1), N Burke (0-3, 2f), T Haran (1-3, 1-0 pen), J Regan (1-2), C Cooney, D Glennon (1-2).

Subs: R Burke for Gordon, B Burke for Haran, D Fox for Cooney, N Quinn for N Burke

Dublin: G McManus, B O'Carroll, D Kelly, J Doughan, D Curran, L Rushe, M Quilty, C Gough, D Sutcliffe, D Plunkett, M Schutte, T Connolly (1-2, 0-2f), K O'Loughlin (0-5, 5f), N McMorrow (0-1), E Dillon.

Subs: F Clabby for Schutte, R McMahon (0-2) for O’Loughlin, B Quinn for Connolly

Referee: T Carroll (Offaly).