Quick turnaround gives Tribesmen chance to respond

26 January 2025; Kevin Cooney of Galway takes a sideline cut during the Allianz Hurling League Division 1A match between Galway and Tipperary at Pearse Stadium in Galway. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

26 January 2025; Kevin Cooney of Galway takes a sideline cut during the Allianz Hurling League Division 1A match between Galway and Tipperary at Pearse Stadium in Galway. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

The Galway senior hurlers must dust themselves down quickly for a road trip to take on Leinster champions Kilkenny this Sunday afternoon in Nowlan Park (throw-in 1.45pm ) after suffering a bruising 3-25 to 2-16 loss to Tipperary in round one of Division 1A of the National League in Pearse Stadium.

Whilst manager Micheal Donoghue admitted afterwards that this year’s league campaign had to be used as an opportunity to blood new players and give them some invaluable experience at this level, he must surely have been somewhat disappointed with the performance levels in a contest that was effectively over long before the final whistle sounded.

On a playing surface far from conducive to attractive hurling, Galway were thankful for two late goals from John Fleming and Declan McLoughlin which added a small bit of gloss to the scoreboard. Donoghue handed debuts to Sean Murphy, Micheal Garvey, Rory Burke, and Oisin Lohan, while Cillian Whelan, Anthony Burns, and Shane Morgan also got game time for the first time at senior intercounty level in the second half.

Tipperary, to their credit, made light work of the playing conditions and also gave youth their chance with four debutants of their own. Liam Cahill’s charges took over the contest in the second quarter, surging six points clear by half time with Darragh McCarthy’s successful penalty a key score. Galway could not find a way to stem the tide in the second period, with further goals from Dylan Walsh and Gearoid O’Connor sinking any hopes of a comeback.

Kilkenny, by contrast, got their campaign off to a positive start as they managed to overcome an early six point deficit to grind out a hard-fought two-point win away to All-Ireland champions Clare. Level on seven different occasions, Derek Lyng’s men pulled clear in injury time as Mossy Keoghan’s brace of points and a fine Aidan Tallis save ensured the victory.

This result was a measure of revenge for last year’s league final loss to Clare and also a first win for the Cats in Cusack Park in twelve years, so the measure of the task ahead of Galway this weekend cannot be underestimated. Kerry native Fionan Mackessy made a successful debut at wing back, while the likes of Eoin Cody, Mikey Carey, Billy Drennan, and Cian Kenny all made significant contributions.

While the counties are more than acquainted with one another from their annual Leinster championship battles, the last league contest between the two was back in March 2016, when a TJ Reid led Kilkenny side came out on top by 0-21 to 1-14, with Reid contributing 0-14 to that winning tally.

Galway may be able to call on some more experienced campaigners who are returning from injury this weekend, but if Donoghue is going to stick to the rebuild mission then he will surely give the newcomers further chances to make their mark.

Elsewhere, Cork take on Limerick at home on Saturday night while Wexford travel to Semple Stadium to face Tipperary.

 

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