In the summer sunlight, Shane Walsh’s exceptional goal in the final three minutes was pivotal in Galway’s narrow victory over a tenacious Westmeath team in Mullingar. Despite Westmeath’s courage, Galway’s minor advantage of the wind, a gifted goal to Walsh, and some fantastic football allowed them to triumph with 1-12.
From the opening, Matthew Tierney initiated a promising move after a powerful run from the throw-in which set Cein Darcy up for a potential goal. However, his shot was impressively saved by Jason Daly and ended up as a converted 45 by Connor Gleeson. An equalising move from Sam McCartan, grandson to Galway’s renowned Sean Purcell, and a lead-taking effort by Robbie Forde in the seventh minute had Dessie Dolan’s squad ahead.
Things took a turn when Ronan O’Toole, a nominee for All Star, received a black card on the tenth minute. Yet Galway capitalised during his time off the pitch, scoring twice; once from Darcy and another from a Walsh free. Darcy and Walsh continued their momentum with points matched by Westmeath’s David Lynch and John Heslin.
As half an hour passed, the scores were levelled to 0-6 each following another Heslin free and a remarkable point by Ray Connellan. Although Cillian McDaid briefly gave Galway the advantage, Westmeath ended the first half on top, including fantastic contributions from Heslin and Ronan Wallace, leading the game 0-8 to 0-7.
The second half took off with another converted free by Heslin, leading to a double advantage for Westmeath. Gleeson then had some difficulty with two long-range placed balls, which were missed. Nonetheless, Galway rallied, and a point from Gleeson along with a Walsh free levelled the match. In the last moments of the match, Matthew Tierney came through for Galway, only to be swiftly equalised by Wallace from Westmeath. It was Walsh’s goal though, that ultimately sealed the victory for Galway.
The match was notably balanced until a misdirected pass by Connellan gave Walsh the green light to sprint nearly halfway down the field, scoring an incredible goal for Kilmacud Crokes by nailing a shot to the net’s top corner. Heslin reduced the lead with a free kick, but Galway ensured their hard-fought victory with additional late points from Tierney and the blood sub Kieran Molloy.
The Galway team consisted of C Gleeson (0-2, two 45s), J McGrath, S Fitzgerald, J Glynn, D McHugh, J Daly, L Silke, P Conroy, J Maher, J Heaney, M Tierney (0-2), C Darcy (0-1), C Hernon (0-1), S Walsh (1-4, three frees) and C McDaid (0-1). The substitutes included D Ó Flaherty, S Mulkerrin, T Culhane, C Sweeney, L Ó Conghaile and K Molloy who came in (70 mins, due to blood).
As for Westmeath, the line-up included J Daly, J Gonoud, K Maguire, J Dolan, S McCartan (0-1), R Wallace (0-2), D Lynch (0-1), R Connellan (0-1) and A McCormack. The forwards were J Lynam, R O’Toole, C Drumm, S Baker, J Heslin (0-5, five frees), and R Forde (0-1). Substitutes were L Loughlin, S Allen, S Smith, K Martin, and D Scahill. The match’s referee was N Cullen from Fermanagh.