Micheál Donoghue: 'The bench was cataylst to this result which was pleasing for it gives us strength in depth'

BENCH: THE impact of the Galway bench played a crucial role in their eventual two point victory over Wexford. Pic: Stephen Marken/Sportsfile

Allianz NHL: Galway 2-19 Wexford 1-20

THE impact of the Galway bench played a crucial role in their eventual two point victory over Wexford in this Allianz National Hurling League Division 1A game played at Chadwicks Wexford Park.

Manager Micheál Donoghue hailed his side and was glowing in his praise for the contribution of the bench and the eventual impact they had on the end result.

As the Galway forward line were struggling to impact the game, the experienced Conor Cooney was introduced from the bench on forty-seven minutes and he had an immediate presence contributing 1-2 from frees, while also being source of winning so much primary possession.

The impact the Galway bench was to make became evident in the opening minute of the second half, when Kevin Cooney introduced during the break shot the opening point of the second period, while Colm Molloy and Sean Linnane also got in on the scoring with a point apiece.

Reflecting on the contribution of the bench, which contributed 1-6 during the second period, Donoghue said: "You have to give a lot of credit and respect to Wexford. They were never going to die. Late on Lee Chin got some scores from frees which brought them back into the game, got the crowd behind them, leaving us to defend the closing minutes.

"But I thought our lads showed a much better performance in the second half and were really resilient, and importantly who got a big impact from the bench too."

Donoghue admitted the bench was crucial. "We had to introduce David Burke and Declan McLoughlin before the game. The bench was cataylst to this result which was pleasing for it gives us strength in depth."

Wexford are now facing relegating have just two points from five games played with a final round game against Limerick to come.

Rossiter admitted relegation looks ahead. "Am I talking about relegation now? I am probably am now, yeah. I wasn't up to tonight because I thought it was still in our own hands and I thought we could have won tonight.

"But as I said, we beat ourselves with the wides we had," he said. "We hit fourteen of the games nineteen wides. I'll have to look at relegation now and see what the lie of the land is. But when you are depending on other results it's never a good way to be."

Galway maintained their momentum with their third successive victory keeping them very much in the title race. Given the nature of this latest victory they must have been happy with their continued progress as they set sights on bigger days ahead, despite having to withstand a late Wexford onslaught that saw a 75th minute Mark Fanning 21 metre free saved by a packed goalmouth.

As a game it was quite a disappointing contest as both sides struggled to bring any composure to their play, but it was Galway who looked more comfortable in the second half pushing themselves into a seven point lead, 2-19 to 1-15, with six minutes remaining. While Wexford did manage to produce a late rally, courtesy of Lee Chine pointed frees, they were unable to create that goal they so desperately needed.

Galway raced into an early three point lead through Michael Garvey long free, David Burke and Ciaran Fahy with Wexford having to wait until the eighth minute for their opening score, a Seamus Casey pointed free.

Instead of Galway pushing ahead it was Wexford who responded with points from Casey, free, Jack O'Connor along with two Casey 65s to lead 0-5 to 0-3 after nineteen minutes.

After a lacklustre opening both sides began to rouse themselves but with Casey sening over fine frees, as Galway responded with points from Darren Morrissey and three Garvey frees, Wexford led 0-10 to 0-9 approaching the break.

Disaster struck the homeside three minutes into first half additional time when the defence failed to deal with a long Michael Garvey free, leaving corner-forward Anthony Burns to find the net from close range leaving the tribesmen with a 1-9 to 0-10 interval lead.

Kavin Cooney a half-time substitute made his presence felt within one minute of the restart with a fine point, but within minutes Wexford were back level, 1-10 each, when Rory O'Connor intercepted a short puck-out to find the net.

Galway then hit a purple patch as they gradually took control with Conor Cooney and Kevin Cooney making their presence felt with point, while on fifty-five minutes they got a crucial breakthrough when after Kevin Cooney being fouled, it was Conor Cooney who blasted the resulting penalty to the net, leaving them leading 2-16 to 1-13.

While Galway's bench made a second half difference, it was Lee Chin who made a difference when taking on the freetaking responsibilities after Casey had been substituted. Chin sent over four long frees to reduce the deficit to two points, but it was Galway who held firm in the closing minutes to continue their winning streak, while Wexford are consigned to Division 1B for next season.

Scorers for Galway: C Cooney (1-2, 0-2 f, 1-0 pen); A Burns (1-1); M Garvey (0-5, 4f); David Burke, K Cooney (0-2 each); T Killeen (0-2 f); D Morrissey, C Fahy, T Monaghan, C Molloy, S Linnane (0-1 each).

Scorers for Wexford: R O'Connor (1-2); S Casey (0-7, 0-5 f, 0-2, 65s); L Chin (0-5 f); C Foley, R Lawlor, C Hearne, C Dunbar, J O'Connor, S Reck (0-1 each).

WEXFORD: M Fanning; E Ryan, S Donohoe, C Foley; R Lawlor, D Reck, C McGuckin; C Hearne, C Dunbar; J O'Connor, L Chin, J Redmond; K Foley, S Casey, R O'Connor. 

Subs: S Reck for D Reck (inj. 35); S Roche for Redmond (ht), N Murphy for Ryan (inj. ht), T Kinsella for Casey (60), M Dwyer for Dunbar (66).

GALWAY: D Fahy; J Grealish, F Burke, D Morrissey; P Mannion, G Lee, M Garvey; C Fahy, T Monaghan; David Burke, T Killeen, B Concannon; D McLoughlin, C Whelan, A Burns. 

Subs: C Molloy for Burns (59), K Cooney for McLoughlin (ht), C Cooney for Concannon (47), C Molloy for Burns (50), S Linnane for D Burke (60).

Referee: S Stack (Dublin).