Sunday July 15 - Senior Hurling: Galway v Offaly

Offaly 2-17 Galway 4-28

 

Two goals and 17 points is no score to sniff at, but when your opponents are not too far from double that you are in trouble as Offaly found out on Sunday.  Galway were always a step or two ahead of their opponents, and while Offaly battled on gamely and tallied a respectable score, it was never going to be enough against a Galway side that had all their forwards with handsome contributions on the scoresheet.

 

Emmet Moran comes away with the ball for Offaly.

The first half saw Galway establish a substantial lead and watch it grow as the game wore on.  Oisin Donnellan at right half forward was very influential for Galway and the Galway puckouts were frequently sent in the direction of the Clareman.   Donnellan, along with his fellow half forwards each were on the scoreboard within the first 3 minutes as the Galway forward line were on target early.  Every shot was hit with true and between the posts.

Galway veteran James Kinsella sends it downfield.

Offaly kept close in the early going, however, after Jack Whelehan had made it a two point game with a fine score, Galway took over and grew their lead.  It is the first goal that tends to open the floodgates, and so it was after Jack Lyons netted following an assist from Aidan Helebert.  Points came from Frank McCormack, Helebert, and Jack Lyons as Offaly struggled to find a way past the Galway half back line.  Offaly worked hard to keep their own side of the scoreboard ticking over, Emmet Moran at corner back did well, while Niall Mannion put chances over the bar.  It was hard to make a dent in the gap for the Faithful men, however, and at the break Galway held a handsome lead.

The second half was more of the same as Galway continued to press home their advantage.  Offaly managed a couple of late consolation goals.  Mannion was played in by Jimmy Rigney and beat the keeper with a one hopper, and later in the game the wing forward found the net a second time.  Galway still in second place in the table, while it looks like it is between Offaly and Wexford for the fourth place and  a chance at junior honors.

Offaly:  Gary Sherlock, Conor Grimes, Emmet Moran, Jack Whelehan, Seamus Loftus, Oisin McCormack, Donal O’Dwyer, Jack Dunphy, Niall Mannion, Jack Murray, Jimmy Rigney, Brian Ramsey, Cian Clifford.

Galway:  John Coleman, Trevor Lee, John Moylan, Brendan Furlong, Shane O’Gorman, James Kinsella, Calum Lyons, Frank McCormack, Adam Kenny, Aidan Helebert, Oisin O’Donnell, Jack Lyons, Enda Feeney.

By Rory O'Donnell