Micheál Donoghue after defeat of Cork: 'One of the most important things is staying humble'

Galway stunned a fancied Rebels side at Croke Park on Saturday. 

MASTERMIND: Galway manager Micheál Donoghue. Pic: INPHO/Tom O’Hanlon

Galway boss Micheál Donoghue hailed his young side's statement win over Cork in Saturday's All-Ireland SHC semi-final and said 'they'll push on now again'.

The Leinster champions overwhelmed the 14-man Rebels, who had Darragh Fitzgibbon dismissed at Croke Park. 

"The first thing for us is about ourselves and getting ourselves in the game and getting us going and then looking at the opposition obviously with the height of respect for Cork coming into the game," the Tribe boss told RTÉ's Damian Lawlor.  

"They've been one of the standard bearers of the championships for the last couple of years so we knew we had to be on our A game and I think we were today."

He continued: "I've said from day one this year there's just been a brilliant chemistry between the newer lads that come into the squad and the more experienced lads we call them. As I said, that together just brought a great energy and it was really evident for us right from day off nearly.

"Once we came back into pre-season there was just a great energy there. I think one of the most important things is staying humble. Do you know what I mean? We prepare for every game the same.

"There's no frills or thrills. You know, you look at the work rate. That's the number one characteristic of our team and I'm sure of every other team as well."

Galway will face either Clare or Limerick in the championship finale and Donogue says his outfit will look to build on their huge progress this term..

"I think you have to take it step by step," he said. "We don't look too far ahead of ourselves. When we were having a chat after the Leinster final we spoke about the importance of the young fellas getting the opportunity to play in games like these.

"Games of great magnitude with something really important at the outcome. I think the last two games would stand to them as they develop and go deeper into their careers. It was a massive learning curve for them the last few weeks and we'll go to push on again now again.

"Winning breeds confidence doesn't it? The group just take it. We just push on now again."