Galway Advertiser 2005/2005_04_14/GA_1404_E1_126.pdf 

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126

SPORT

April 14 2005

Galway romp to victory over the old enemy in u-21 decider
Galway 1-13 Mayo 0-4
When records are looked at and the final score is considered on statistics will show that Galway cruised to a facile 12 point victory over Mayo in the Connacht Under 21 Football final at Pearse Stadium, Salthill, on Saturday evening. But deeper analysis will display just how inept a performance the much fancied green and red brigade produced. as Galway simply tore them apart, and had they taken the chances available could have left their near neighbours in a most embarrassing situation. Playing with the strong breeze to their backs in the opening half the Mayo team who had won the toss, played most of their attack out around the middle of the defence and midfield. Maughan's ploy of leaving just a handful of attackers up front proved hugely costly as Galway defenders stayed back and simply had a field day with five or six defenders having an easy time mopping up every Mayo attack. While there was little wrong with Mayo trying that pattern of play there was a lot wrong with the policy of keeping it going right up to half time. While Mayo will rightly point out that the loss of key forward John Prenty, through injury midway through the opening half, was a major blow, and their tactics simply fell apart after his departure, the fact remains that the management tried nothing else and Maughan's absence of action was so evident that it must surely provide concern for Mayo followers as they face up to the semi final of the Allianz Football League and their bid to retain the Bank of Ireland Connacht Senior Football Championship. While it is easy to say that this u-21 title didn't matter to Mayo as they prepare for a League final, the Mayo team had battled hard to overcome Leitrim in extra time of the Connacht Under 21 semi-final after their facile victory over Roscommon in the first round and if they were not taking the u-21 competition with seriousness they surely would not be in the final. Mayo were just woeful and Galway cannot afford to lose their heads in winning this Connacht title as they face tougher challenges ahead first against the winners of Cork and Limerick who were due to play in the Munster final in Limerick's Gaelic Grounds last night, and if they overcome that another difficult assignment in the All Ireland decider. While this game against Mayo gave Galway a Connacht title the fact that they didn't get a competitive game in the Connacht final could work against them later in the campaign. Galway have won just two All Ireland u-21 titles in the thirty-year history of the competition, they were in the inaugural competition in 1972 and three years ago, when John O'Mahony guided the maroon and white to their second title defeating Dublin in the final at O'Moore Park, Portlaoise. Michael Meehan is Galway's sole link on the field with that team, but selectors Stephen Joyce and Tom McManus have now linked up with Peter Ford for the u-21 to provide a link off the field of play. However there is much to be done before Galway can start talking about an All Ireland u-21 title. The Galway defence look to be reasonably solid, and while question marks might still need to be asked about some of the players as a unit they are quite solid. Midfield is a little concerning and while injury has curtailed Niall Coleman, the towering Barry Cullinane can improve his work rate. The jury is also out on what players should be included in the half forward line and while the introduction of Damien Dunleavy displayed a significant improvement, a greater combination with the high powered full forward line is needed to take success at national level. Nevertheless the All Ireland title is just two games away and with any breaks Galway could march on to take the title. In last Saturday's Connacht title Mayo did all the early running, and Damien Munnelly lofted a point from a free before Aidan Kilcoyne scored a wonderful point from a sideline kick. After five minutes Michael Meehan pointed a Galway free, and shortly afterwards Galway full forward Cathal Blake was the first of six players to receive a yellow card from erratic referee Francis Flynn of Leitrim. Blake's yellow card for a simple tackle had a telling effect on the performance of the Milltown player who never really got into the game after that. When Damien Munnelly scored Mayo's third point to restore their lead nobody could have predicted that it would take another 50 minutes before they would score again. A marvellous move that involved Damien Dunleavy, Fiachra Breathnacht and Sean Armstrong ended with the latter splitting the posts to level before a beautiful move

Galway's Fiachra Breathnach beats Mayo's Tony Gaughan to the ball in action at the Connacht u-21 Football final at Pearse Stadium on Saturday. Photo:-Mike Shaughnessy

that saw Gary Sice combine with Barry Cullinane twice before taking the return pass for the second time and creating space to score a super point on the run. This score gave Galway the lead for the first time in the game playing into the breeze, and although it took another 10 minutes before the next score it had a psychological effect as Galway maintained control when playing against the strong breeze. Galway's next score was a killer blow when corner back Alan Burke came forward and fisted over a marvellous point that could well have ended in the back of the Mayo net. The fact that two Galway defenders had scored at this stage was due more to the fact that the Mayo forwards were playing in their own defence than Galway backs coming forward, but the decision was ultimately to prove costly for Mayo. It could have got much worse for the Mayo side just before the break when Fiachra Breathnacht put Sean Armstrong straight through, and only a fingertip save by Mayo custodian Richie Byrne denied Galway a goal, and at half time Mayo had reason to express concern when Galway led by 0-5 to 0-3. Six minutes into the second half the

writing was on the wall for Mayo. Playing with the breeze to their backs the Mayo decision to take wind advantage in the opening half and not to have made maximum use of it had become a cruel decision. Cathal Blake, Sean Armstrong, Michael Meehan and another Armstrong sideline kick that hopped over the Mayo bar had Galway 0-9 to 03 ahead just six minutes into the second half. Galway's third point of the second half could easily have gone into the net when a clearance from the Mayo defence came straight to Michael Meehan, who went to lob Richie Byrne who was out of the goal, but the ball sailed over the bar. However t13 minutes into the second half Darren Mullahy delivered to Michael Meehan who created space and rifled low and hard to the bottom of the Mayo net and for there on Mayo supporters were making their way to the exits with the last quarter still to be played. John Maughan should have been shown a yellow card when he went onto the field to protest against Keith Higgins being cautioned by referee Flynn for an off the ball incident with Michael Meehan. While Higgins received yellow, Maughan's

interference could have influenced the decision to give a yellow to Michael Meehan almost immediately. Meehan landed three further points before Sean Armstrong kicked over another sideline effort. When Mayo centre back James McAndrew kicked over an injury time point for Mayo, their first score in 50 minutes, it raised a consolation cheer from the handful of Mayo supporters who were still left in the ground. Galway: M Killilea; A Burke (0-1), F Hanley, M Flannery; D Mullahy, N Coyne, G Sice (0-1); B Cullinane, N Coleman; B Faherty, D Dunleavy (0-1), F Breathnach; M Meehan (1-5), C Blake (0-1), S Armstrong (0-4). Subs: A Glynn, C de Paor for Glynn, J Murphy for Mullahy Mayo: R Byrne; T Gaughan, A Joyce, K Higgins; E Hughes, J McAndrew (0-1), C Boyle; B Kelly, J Kilcullen; A Costello, A Kilcoyne (0-1), A Durcan; M Conroy, D Munnelly (02), J Prenty. Subs: K Costello for Prenty, S Hughes for Durcan. Referee: F Flynn (Leitrim).

Tipp are next challenge for Galway hurlers
On Sunday next Galway play Tipperary in round two of the second phase of the Allianz Hurling League in Pearse Stadium, Salthill at 3-

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30pm. Last weekend the three teams from Division 1A defeated the three teams from Division 1B which puts pressure on Tipperary to get a victory on Sunday next. However Galway have already one win of these crucial three games under their belt and they will want to win with Cork coming up on the following week. Tipperary were most disappointing against

Clare last weekend, and they will need a big improvement in the coming week. However while Galway did defeat Wexford there were still a lot of problems in the Galway team. Four key players down the spinal area of the team had to be switched on Sunday last, and with Cork's backroom team having already stating their intentions that they have no real interest in the League, next Sunday's game could be the last

real test that Galway will have before they face into the All Ireland series. However to lose on home soil would be a major embarrassment for Galway who should be strong enough to see off the Tipperary challenge. The Galway team was not available at the time of going to press but it is likely that there could be a number of changes from the team that started against Wexford last week.

Kevin Hayes and Alan Kerins are possible contenders to be drafted into the starting line up, while Eugene Cloonan could be put into a more central position. If Shane Kavanagh returns from injury he could come into the reckoning for the defence, but the likelihood of having Kavanagh back before at least the League final is remote. The unavailability of Diarmuid Cloonan is also a major blow to

management and Tony Og Regan is more likely to start at centre back. Many of the Galway players are flexible and could be played in different positions, but Conor Hayes and his selectors Seamus Coen, Pierce Piggott, and Gerry Dempsey will be hoping to get the team into a proper balance sooner rather that later. Tipperary and Cork provide real tests to sort out some of these concerns.