Galway’s sequential harvests
An intriguing fact amongst the statistics of Galway’s retention of the Connacht title is that it signifies the county’s first triple win in the provincial competition in four decades. A retrospective look at their historical sequences shows varied outcomes.
The most extended streak of victories was the quintuple win from 1956 to 1960. This run made way for one All-Ireland title in the very beginning, followed by three semi-final losses – two to the final winners, Louth and Dublin, and another finishing in a final, where Kerry thwarted them in 1959.
Infamously, the four back-to-back triumphs from 1963 to 1966 led to Galway football’s pinnacle, with All-Ireland wins in 1964, 1965, and 1966 consecutively. The opening year ended in loss to Dublin in the All-Ireland ’63.
Two other All-Ireland victories came during consecutive Connacht wins. These included the debatable achievement in 1925, presented in the committee room, and the win in 1934.
Not to forget the distressing period from 1940 to 1942, where they fell short to Kerry in the All-Ireland finals of the first two years by a narrow margin. However, in 1942 they overcame the reigning champions in the semi-final but succumbed to Dublin in the final round.
Winning provincial titles consecutively has been the outset for six of Galway’s nine All-Ireland successes. The remaining three came in 1938, wedged between Mayo’s Connacht victories in 1937 and 1939; again in 1998, with Mayo preceding and following them; and the one in 2001, that marked a new beginning.
In that initial year of the qualifiers, Galway bounced back from a provincial semi-final loss to Roscommon, triumphantly marching on to secure the Sam Maguire with a convincing nine-point victory against Meath. The team’s current manager, Pádraic Joyce, was the standout performer of the day, scoring 0-10, including 0-5 from the game.
Now, with a three-peat to his credit, PJ has previously tasted an All-Ireland final two years ago. Will he fulfil what he proclaimed would signify a successful tenure? — Seán Moran
[As Galway and Kerry claim provincial titles, the enduring hierarchy maintains its stronghold.]
In another instance of journalism being overlooked, media representatives were rather unceremoniously ejected from Cusack Park shortly following the exciting conclusion of the Munster senior football final. Clare’s footballers had put on a competitive display, and yet, within 60 minutes of the game’s conclusion, the journalists present for coverage found themselves requested to exit the park.
The issue materialised when members of the press, returning to their station after conducting post match interviews, noticed several players of Clare’s hurling team entering the field. Evidently, a practice session had been scheduled without any prior communication to the media who were on site.
A Munster Council representative stepped in to explain the unexpected scenario. The Clare hurlers were indeed booked for a 5pm training and would require an emptier field. Despite a debate and a flurry of phone calls, the journalists were hastily packing up and making their way to a local establishment to continue their work.
Clare’s official Twitter account marked the end of the provincial final match at 3.23. After the abrupt conversation with the Council’s representative, followed by calls and a discussion with a Clare GAA official, who suggested the alternative location at the hotel, the media departed from the park at 4.32, feeling rather slighted with laptop chargers in tow.
While this might seem a trivial issue to some, suggesting that media should not be fussy, it does reveal a bigger issue. The GAA, it would appear, believes that media coverage of their games is assured.
Would any other global sport treat representatives of the media this way, asking them to leave a venue post-event because their presence was deemed unnecessary? Consider if following a Northampton versus Leinster face-off in Croke Park, British journalists found themselves asked to leave because a training session was about to commence.
The Munster final that took place in our town for the first time since 1919 wasn’t devoid of significance. However, what caught everyone off guard was when those tasked with overseeing the game requested that media personnel vacate the premises. A few days prior, commendably and cordially, Mark Fitzgerald – the Clare football manager – permitted media access to his pre-Munster final training session. Tommy Rooney from Off The Ball created an impressive feature, shedding light on the team’s Munster final preparations, augmenting Clare’s efforts against Kerry.
Regrettably, an air of unnecessary wariness swiftly cloaked the GAA, thwarting its promising potential. The Munster Council has a reputation for being forward-thinking and engaging amongst the provincial councils. Even its officials seemed surprised at the training session’s unveiling. Given these circumstances, it’s easy to point fingers at Lohan. Yet, in reality, none of Lohan’s contemporaries would have welcomed media coverage, thus creating an inverted power dynamic where county managers govern county boards.
Intriguingly, not long ago, allowing journalists to observe a training session was considered a milestone. However, fast forward a few weeks, and journalists are being ushered out of stadiums. Ironically, the former stirs more surprise than the latter.
On that Sunday, journalists departed from Cusack Park with impending reports, presenting an undignified sight. This incident reflects poorly on all parties involved – Clare GAA, Munster GAA and the central GAA. Blaming it on a mere misunderstanding is not beneficial. It would be best if measures were introduced to avoid such embarrassing situations on significant forthcoming days. — Gordon Manning.
This past Saturday at Croke Park was a memorable day that will easily earn its place amongst the finest moments at this venue in the last ten years.
Unfortunately, owing to engineering works, the DART was not operational over the weekend. Was it too much to ask for a different weekend, perhaps? As a consequence, traffic funnelled through the Finglas and Ballymun exits off the M50, adding an air of authenticity to the event. In a notable marketing strategy, The Back Page pub in Phibsboro offered complimentary beers to individuals carrying a Brown Thomas Bag, anticipating this to carry on throughout the championship.
However, the proceedings were not without fault. Admission at the Davin Stand entrance was a struggle due to the sizeable crowd, causing a 10-minute delay to the game. Although teased as typical of the “Dubs” at Croke Park, this situation was far from a laughing matter. Reports of overcrowding and kids attempting to push through insufficient turnstiles at a rather stressful time were distressing.
Croke Park will likely facilitate more of such matches in the times to come. However, this hiccup needs attention and a viable solution soon. — Malachy Clerkin
[ Leinster climbs back to the place that caused them the most pain ]
Characters from Tipperary demonstrate the merit of experience.
The age-old conflict in team selection is the balance between experienced and fresh players. In contemporary hurling, the game’s speed almost requires a focus on agility, and younger players seemingly hold an advantage in this respect.
Nonetheless, the crucial decisions Liam Cahill made for Saturday night’s game in Walsh Park revolved around his seasoned players. Notably, Noel McGrath, despite his age, shone as the picture of serenity and, dare one say, tranquillity amidst the Walsh Park storm. Operating mainly within a central path between the two 45s, he offered link play and enriched ball possession. His influence on Eoghan Connolly, Alan Tynan, and others within his circle can only be conjectured.
Fifteen years ago marked the start of McGrath’s championship career, the same year Patrick ‘Bonner’ Maher initiated his league performance. Emphasising his importance in the finale’s last quarter off the bench, McGrath impressed by scoring a point, facilitating a few scores, and playing a significant part in the sequence that culminated with Tipp’s equaliser.
As of last October, Maher is 34, with McGrath set to reach the same age this December. Cathal Barrett will celebrate his 31st birthday on the same day as the All-Ireland finale. It’s already been a decade since he was bestowed with the Young Hurler of the Year award. After a prolonged absence due to an injury, this Saturday night witnessed his stellar return to the team, despite only one club game behind him.
Debate about the optimum age for players is perennially influenced by results and pre-existing beliefs. When Cork’s initial loss to Waterford was attributed to their decision to field three players from the 2013 All-Ireland final, there was backlash. However, contributions of Shane O’Donnell and John Conlon, also present in that final for Clare’s opening round defeat, were not counted as significant factors.
On Saturday evening, Tipperary relied on a few veterans from the 2010 All-Ireland final, proving that age is no barrier. — Denis Walsh
In a post-game interview saturated with disappointment at Wexford Park Saturday, Henry Shefflin confessed to being taken unaware by the performance he witnessed. It was unclear if he was referring to Galway’s performance or that of Wexford.
As it turned out, both had left a lasting impression on him. Galway’s loss by eight points (1-28 to 0-23) was not merely their low point this season, but also their inaugural defeat to Wexford in the Leinster hurling championship. With only two rounds left, this leaves them unsure of their movement into the Liam MacCarthy stages.
Wexford’s first triumph of the season, a refreshing victory over Galway, has breathed new life into their campaign. A triumphant event undeniably significant, as it represents their first victory over Galway since the 1996 All-Ireland semi-final, a memory Wexford loyalists will never forget.
Following a reprieve this coming weekend, Wexford will encounter Carlow on an away trip and conclude their matches in Kilkenny, while Galway faces the challenge of an Antrim meet before receiving Dublin at home. This was a considerable breakthrough for Wexford, who handsomely defeated Galway cementing their position in the summer contest.
Clearly, the domination of Wexford over his squad, in every possible arena within Wexford Park, left Shefflin puzzled and unable to deduce answers. The reality was a stark disappointment to him, the sharpest he’s encountered since he took principal command of the team, still striving to claim his first trophy in his current third term.
Historically, the past six championships have seen Wexford cross swords with Galway, with four wins and two draws favouring Galway. Yet, as Keith Rossiter observes, it was crucial for Wexford to secure victory to maintain any glimmer of a worthwhile summer championship post the May Bank Holiday.
When queried about what was required to re-energise Galway’s season, Shefflin seemed somewhat perplexed. He expressed the need for a catalyst, a revitalising spark they seem presently devoid of. If he could wish for one attainable thing, it would be that. Though the spirits seem low currently, hope still lingers as they remain in the championship, though this feeling might not be immediate and perhaps not for a significant duration.
Antrim continues to present a formidable challenge at home, having bested Wexford in the second round. Potential pressure mounts against Shefflin, particularly if Galway succumbs in their impending match, from which there may be no respite. —Ian O’Riordan