Sunday August 14: Senior Hurling - Galway v Fr. Tom Burke's

Galway 1-19 Fr. Tom Burke’s 0-20


Galway forced a playoff with a two point win over Fr. Tom’s in an eagerly contested encounter. Tom’s took the initiative in the early going but once Galway broke the ice with a Fintan O’Leary goal the tribesmen kicked into gear. Galway absorbed a loss in personnel with 10 minutes left on the clock as John Moylan was sent off, but edged out their opponents in a tight finish.



The Galway Hurling Squad:  Galway forced a playoff against Tom's Wednesday night.

 Tom’s got off to a great start with six points on the trot. Shane Howley and Camin Morey were first on the scoresheet, soon to be followed by goalkeeper John Grealish who came up to take two long range frees. After Galway hit a couple of wides, Tom’s again went on a scoring spurt, and almost goaled through the “on-fire” Morey. Morey tried to tap the ball over the keeper’s head but ended up hitting the crossbar. Things did not look good for Galway at that point, but the Brighton side were soon back in it. Things got started for the tribesmen with a Fintan O’Leary goal, John Moylan provided the assist. Eoin Guinan followed with a point and the momentum swung. Now it was Galway clearing their lines and seemingly unable to miss. O’Leary put three over the bar, as did Eoin Guinan and Galway now had the upper hand over their rivals. At the break it was Galway by two points, 1-8 to 0-9.


Tom’s drew level soon after the restart with two points from Morey, and Galway counterpart at center forward, Finan O’Leary restored Galway’s lead. Both front line commanders were playing well. The sides continued to trade scores as the game was finely balanced. With Galway ahead by a point John Moylan was given his marching orders for an off the ball incident. Playing down a man Galway added to their lead through Guinan and O’Leary, their two predominant marksmen. Tommy O’Brien was omnipresent for Tom’s in their efforts to come back into the game and put a couple of impressive scores over the bar, but between them Guinan and O’Leary kept Galway’s noses in front. With the game in injury time Tom’s drew within a point and each dropping ball was met with anticipation from the crowd. Galway however got an insurance point thanks to a Guinan free and we have a mid-week playoff to look forward to see who makes the semi-final.


Galway: D. Kilmartin, K. Murphy, M. Malone, C. Woods, A. Brennan, S. Linnane, N. McCree, D. McMahon, K. Killilea, F. O’Leary (1-7), E. Guinan (0-9), J. Moylan (0-3), S. Brown. Tom’s: J. Grealish (0-2), E. Glynn, S. O’Brien, S. Higgins, D. Moore, B. Harding, A. Collier, G. Hennelly (0-3), S. Howley (0-1), C. Morey (0-10), C. McDonald, T. O’Brien (0-4), S. Coen.


By Rory O'Donnell