Cunningham relishes in Galway U-21s win

Galway manager Anthony Cunningham was elated after his side captured the Bord Gáis Energy All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling title under the Semple Stadium floodlights on Saturday.

The Tribesmen captured the Cross of Cashel trophy thanks to a comfortable 3-14 to 1-10 win, with Cunningham delighted Galway had bounced back after suffering a 25-point defeat to Tipperary in the decider at the same venue 12 months ago.

"I am delighted for the players this evening, this time last year was tough," he said.

"The guys played very well out there. I suppose the hurt from last year was going to help us along this year as well.

"We didn't concentrate too much on last year. We just kicked on preparing the team."

Cunningham says that there wasn't any talk publically by the players about the defeat 12 months ago.

"It would have been there privately for them, but the main thing from that was to kick forward and just leave it there," he said.

"There was hurt there, but don't drop your confidence to any degree because of what happened last year.

"That's the way hurling goes. These guys now all of Galway will be looking for them to tip on."

Cunningham gave huge praise to his selectors for their input.

"Tom Helebert and Mattie Kenny have done tremendous work in the coaching stakes so we are delighted with that," he said.

Goals were vital to this Galway victory, and while one of Galway's goalscorers Davy Glennon ultimately received the Man of the Match award, it was a real team performance with five of Galway's starting forwards on target, with midfielder David Burke also adding four points.

"Goals definitely win matches and that's the way it is gone," Cunningham said.

"You saw on Sunday in the Senior Final it was two pivotal goals (which won it for Kilkenny)," he said.

"That was the difference and that is the way the modern game of hurling has gone."

Cunningham praised Dublin for their input, as the search for a first All-Ireland title at this level for the Metropolitans continues.

"Dublin are a physical outfit and you will see a lot of those players in the Dublin Senior shirt as well," he said.

"They will have their day as well, there is no doubt about it.

"I have no doubt they will be back. They have a great Senior structure now as well as their underage structure. They'll be back and they will be fighting hard next year."

It was a winning weekend for Cunningham on the double, as on Sunday afternoon he also managed Garrycastle to a 2-17 to 2-8 semi-final win over Tyrrellspass in the Westmeath SFC. They now face Mullingar Shamrocks in the final in what is a repeat of last year's decider.