Galway Advertiser 2005/2005_05_19/GA_1905_E1_126.pdf 

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126

SPORT

May 19 2005

Galway start campaign with easy win over Statesiders
Galway 3-16 New York 0-6
It was as comfortable as expected as Galway recorded an easy victory over New York in the opening round of the Bank of Ireland Connacht Senior championship at Gaelic Park, New York, on Sunday last. For Peter Ford and his backroom team this was a positive outing. Victory was needed but it was important that no one would get injured or sent off. To the credit of New York there was never any threat of injury, and while there were patches of the field that were recently resurfaced it was in excellent shape given the conditions. For many years there has been sharp criticism of the state of Gaelic Park but for the Galway game on Sunday it certainly looked in splendid condition. No ground is perfect and Gaelic Park also had some patchwork but it made little difference to the Galway side. After the Band of the Police Emerald Society of Westchester had led the teams on parade and the anthems of both countries were finished, the massive Galway support on foreign soil were quickly in jubilant mood. Three minutes into the game and captain Padraig Joyce had set up Michael Meehan, one of the heroes of the All Ireland Under 21 success the previous week, for the opening score with a well taken point. Within a minute Michael Donnellan, who was playing his first competitive game for Galway for some time, was already causing much damage and had set up Matthew Clancy for a second point. Joe Bergin was playing a deep role from midfield with Niall Coleman delivering quality ball from the centre of the field. Galway fluffed a brace of goal chances during a 10-minute barren scoring spell, the first one falling to Padraig Joyce. Although Joyce could be accused of nudging his opponent he was clear through but failed to hold on to possession with Michael Meehan also loose, and the chance was lost. Moments later after Michael Donnellan had done most of the work, Matthew Clancy had raced forward but blasted into the side netting on the outside of the post. It took until the 14th minute for the third score but the game had always a sort of inevitability about it. Galway were lording it around the middle but there was little pressure on them to score, and yet it looked as if the floodgates could open at any stage. Declan Meehan combined with Matthew Clancy for his second point and then Joe Bergin and Michael Donnellan floated over a brace of points. Indeed the point from Michael Donnellan brought the biggest cheer of the day such was the welcome of the former Dunmore star who is now playing with Salthill/Knocknacarra to the Galway panel. Donnellan has always been a huge favourite and his appearance in Gaelic Park was no exception. Donnellan's point helped Galway into a 0-5 to 0-0 lead and the game was 20 minutes old when New York before got their first point when Tyrone's P J Ward pointed from a free. However there was to be little jubilation for the home side as almost immediately Galway struck for their first goal. Richie Fahey, who like Michael Donnellan was back in the Galway starting fifteen and was playing his first game for Galway since the 2003 championship, started a great move when he robbed possession and delivered the ball to teenage midfielder Niall Coleman. The young Annaghdown player delivered one of his now trademark long left footed kicks into Michael Meehan who released to Padraig Joyce before stepping inside to take the return pass and blast the ball to the New York net, giving Evan Byrne no chance from close range. Paul Clancy and Matthew Clancy combined to set up Michael Donnellan for a second point before P J Ward pointed from play. Padraig Joyce and Ward traded points before Meehan struck again. This time Michael Donnellan and Padraig Joyce were the providers and once again the finish from the Caltra player was clinical. Before Matthew Clancy kicked over his third point before half time the game had effectively ended as a contest. On the restart Padraig Joyce was quick into action when he pointed, but the Galway captain was denied a goal when Evan Byrne made a super save moments later, turning a blistering effort outside the post for a `45 which Michael Donnellan failed to convert. New York rang the changes making a double substitution, but it was to little avail as any time they threatened both Richie Fahey and Kieran Fitzgerald were in super form and repeatedly breaking up any New York attack. Val Feeney, Declan Meehan, Michael Comer also did well and once again Damien Burke delivered another crunching performance at centre back. This player has come on in leaps and bounds but would want to watch his over elaboration of the tackle that could yet get him into hot water by the action of some referees. Whatever slim chances the home side had of creating an upset were quickly dashed by Paul Clancy who kicked over two delightful points before finishing a good move from John Devane and Michael Donnellan to the exiles' net for Galway's third goal. From there the game petered out as Galway introduced Barry Cullinane, Tomas Giblin, Clive Monahan, Sean de Paor, and Shay Walsh. Galway and New York traded three points each before the end with one of the New York points coming from Galway native Michael Keaveney from Glynsk. There will be bigger tests for the Galway side, but when they get the jetlag out of the system it will be back to the drawing board and getting ready for a Connacht semi-final clash against either Sligo or Leitrim. If there is any such thing as an easy passage to a Connacht final, Galway look to have the easy side of it. However every game must be won and nothing can be taken for granted. Galway: A Keane; R Fahey, K Fitzgerald, V Feeney; D Meehan, D Burke, M Comer; J Bergin (0-2), N Coleman; J Devane, P Clancy (1-2), M Donnellan (0-2); M Meehan (2-2), P Joyce (02), M Clancy (0-3). Subs: B Cullinane for Coleman; T Giblin for Feeney; C Monahan for Fitzgerald, S de Paor for Burke, S Walsh for Devane. New York: E Byrne; P Murphy, J Mitchell, N Corbett; N Smith, P O'Connor, S Campbell; C Loughnane, S Lordan; R Garvey, R Moran, M Dobbin; P J Ward (0-4), B Newman, P Smith. Subs: T Healy for Loughnane, M Mitchell (0-1) for Garvey, M Donaghey for Newman, S Flynn for Smith, M Keaveney (0-1) for Ward. Referee: J White (Donegal).

John Devane, Galway, in action against Norbert Smith, New York.

Rugby Summer Camps for Kids
Make new friends and have fun!
Ulster Bank IRFU Rugby Summer Camps. Suitable for boys and girls aged 7-14 years. For information on how to join visit www.IrishRugby.ie or contact the Connacht branch for information: Connacht: Stephanie Dowling Folan. 091-560099