On the balance of play, Padraic Joyce’s men probably should have lost. Somehow, they also could have won, with Derry needing a last-gasp point from Conor Doherty to keep their own season alive.
Ultimately, Galway will be relieved to have come away with a priceless point, especially after Armagh’s victory over Dublin meant a loss would have eliminated them from the championship.
As a Galway supporter, it is hard to settle on a single emotion after a game like this. Elation that the season is still alive? Frustration at being caught at the death for the second game in a row - this time by Doherty, mirroring Tom Lahiff’s late winner for Dublin in Round 1? Or perhaps concern, knowing Galway were outworked by a rejuvenated Derry, who, admittedly, produced their best performance in over a year?
There is also that lingering irritation: that winning a Connacht title - a cause for celebration - has turned into something of a punishment under the current but soon to be disposed of format, leaving Galway with a tougher road than some provincial runners-up or qualifiers.
Must-win that wasn’t
In these pages last week, I labelled this clash with Derry as “must win.” And on reflection, I still stand by that. Yes, Galway are technically alive, but every match from now onwards essentially carries knockout implications. While Armagh can rest easy as group winners, Galway must now gear up for a three-week sprint just to reach the All-Ireland semi-finals.
Can they go to the well six more times to win Sam Maguire? Can they win three crunch games in as many weeks, and then likely beat two of Kerry, Donegal, Armagh, or Dublin just to reach the promised land? On current form, even the most optimistic maroon-and-white supporter might hesitate before answering 'yes'.
If I told you last week that Cillian McDaid, Paul Conroy, and Shane Walsh would all be sitting on the bench late in the game, you would have assumed Galway had cruised to victory and were wrapping key men in cotton wool.
Instead, it was a troubling scene. All three failed to impose themselves and were withdrawn as Galway found themselves eight points down following Niall Loughlin’s 51st-minute goal. Joyce turned to his bench needing the replacements to provide a shot in the arm.
Yes, Galway showed grit to claw their way back and salvage a draw - but the form and influence of their key figures needs to be rediscovered quickly.
Next up is a rematch of last year’s All-Ireland final against Armagh, and ironically, it might be Galway’s best shot at reigniting their season. With Armagh already qualified as group winners, it is likely Kieran McGeeney will rest some of his frontline players.
For Galway, that orange jersey may provide just the motivation they need. The two teams have developed a fierce rivalry in recent seasons, and revenge for last July’s heartbreak could be the spark Galway require. Something needs to stir this team to life.
Underdog hurlers eye upset
Turning to the small ball, Galway and Kilkenny will renew their Leinster rivalry in Sunday’s final at Croke Park - their ninth meeting in the province since Galway joined in 2009. The Cats are chasing six-in-a-row and a staggering 20th Leinster crown this century.
Last year’s Leinster final between Dublin and Kilkenny drew a disappointing crowd of just 24,000. So, the decision by Leinster GAA to issue 20,000 free juvenile tickets for this year’s decider is a welcome one. It offers local clubs a golden opportunity to bring youngsters to Croke Park and create lasting memories at minimal cost.
On the pitch, Galway enter the final on the back of four straight wins. They look a different team to the one dismantled by Kilkenny in their provincial opener. Their form is encouraging, Donoghue’s own record against the Cats is solid, and the pressure is squarely on Kilkenny as favourites.
Galway can approach this one with freedom and a bit of chaos, and that makes them dangerous. Maybe it is bias, or just a gut feeling, but Galway might just bring the Bob O’Keeffe Cup across the Shannon for only the fourth time, and the first in years on Sunday.
It will require a season best display but it is hard not to have confidence in this management team to have the team primed to deliver a performance. Do that and Kilkenny will need to be on song to beat them.
