GALWAY beat final yr’s overwhelmed finalists Cork in Thurles to earn a July 3 All-Eire semi-final date towards defending champions Limerick in Croke Park.
enry Shefflin’s squad bounced again after a disappointing Leinster closing efficiency to file their fifth championship win on the spin over the Rebels. It was a dispiriting afternoon for Cork who final secured the Liam MacCarthy Cup 17 years in the past.
A poor begin noticed Cork concede two comparatively delicate objectives within the first quarter and woeful first-half ending after they had the benefit of the breeze – they transformed simply seven of their 24 probabilities – proved their undoing, though Galway goalkeeper Eanna Murphy produced three positive saves.
For Galway, it is a welcome change of fortune. Since shedding to Limerick within the 2018 All-Eire closing, they’ve struggled on the enterprise finish of the season, although they attain the 2020 semi-final however once more misplaced to Limerick.
In 2019 they did not get out of Leinster and final season have been overwhelmed by Waterford in Spherical 2 of the qualifiers.
Galway boss Henry Shefflin acknowledged afterwards that his facet face a mammoth process within the semi-final however for now they’ll take pleasure in being within the final 4 of the All-Eire sequence.
A dealing with error from Cork goalkeeper Patrick Collins after 20 seconds gave Galway a dream begin. He allowed an extended drive Jack Grealish to slide by means of his fingers and drop into the web. Although Cathal Mannion added a fourth minute level, Cork dominated the primary quarter.
Their defenders constantly beat the Galway forwards and their forwards created an abundance of probabilities however butchered 2-6 within the first jiffy.
Galway goalkeeper Eanna Murphy saved an early Alan Connolly effort. Then, after 11 minutes Luke Meade mixed with Alan Connolly, whose peach of an off-load was collected by Robbie O’Flynn, whose shot was brilliantly by Murphy.
Then to rub salt into the Cork wounds, Galway secured a second aim towards the run of play after 17 minutes. A deadly hesitation from corner-back Sean O’Donoghue allowed Conor Whelan to get aim facet of him. He nonetheless had lots of work to do, however he discovered the web to gave Galway a flattering 2-2 to 0-3 lead.
Murphy rescued Galway for a 3rd time within the 22nd minute when Darragh Fitzgibbon broke from the quilt, however he didn’t make correct contact along with his shot from shut vary. Nonetheless, it was excellent cease from the Galway keeper.
And simply to compound Cork’s distress, Conor Lehane, who was having a nightmare afternoon along with his free-taking, missed the next 65.
The ending of either side did enhance within the latter phases of the primary half with a brace of factors from Mark Coleman and an excellent effort from Robbie O’Fynn, however Galway replied with their very own brace from David Burke and Joseph Cooney.
However Galway scarcely deserved to steer by 5 on the break (2-7; 0-8). Probably the most telling statistic from a disappointing first half was Cork’s tally of 12 wides in comparison with Galway’s six.
Cianan Fahy, who had his proposed two-match ban quashed on a technicality by the GAA’s Central Listening to Committee, was withdrawn after half-hour and Galway additionally misplaced defender Gearoid McInerney by means of damage simply earlier than the break.
The main scorer of all-time in championship hurling Patrick Horgan was launched at half time – changing the off-form Lehane.
Cork received the primary essential break within the second half; Shane Kingston sprinted away from a ruck of gamers and had a free run at aim, and he made no mistake from shut vary.. Galway hit again by means of with three factors on the spin, the ultimate one an excellent effort from Conor Whelan, who additionally offered the help for the primary.
However Darragh Fitzgibbon hit a brace as the sport lastly threatened to catch hearth.
Galway substitutes Brian Concannon and Jason Flynn received on the scoreboard whereas Patrick Horgan received his first to make it a three-point recreation (1-13; 0-13) after 52 minutes.
However Galway had a quick golden spell hitting three factors in a row as soon as once more; Cathal Mannion had an opportunity to make it a four-point recreation, however he misplaced possession. Horgan hit a free for Cork virtually instantly and the initiative swung their method once more.
Down the ultimate straight it was anyone’s recreation. Galway had the initiative however did not convert three lengthy vary frees from deep inside their very own half
A 3rd level from 58th minute substitute Alan Cadogan left two factors between the groups with two of the allotted 5 minutes of damage time performed. Then a monster free from Horgan hit the upright and after a scramble the umpire dominated that the ball had gone extensive off a Galway participant.
A Darragh Fitzgibbon level left the minimal between them however there was no last-minute reprieve for Cork. Jack Grealish, who had scored the opening aim, brilliantly fielded the Cork restart and when the ball spilled in a subsequent ruck, Cathal Mannion secured possession to seal the win.
Scorers: Galway: C Whelan 1-2, C Cooney 0-5 (4f), C Mannion 0-3, J Grealish 1-0, J Cooney, D Burke (0-2) every. R Glennon, T Monaghan, J Flynn, B Concannon, J Coen 0-1 every.
Cork: S Kingston 1-2 (1f), P Horgan 0-4 (2f, 1 65) R O’Fynn, M Coleman (2f, 1 sideline), A Cadogan, every, D Fitzgibbon 0-3 every, D Cahalane, L Meade, C Lehane (1f) 0-1 every
Cork: P Collins; N O’Leary, R Downey, S O’Donoghue; D Cahalane, C Joyce, M Coleman; D Fitzgibbion, L Meade; R O’Flynn, S Harnedy, S Kingston; T O’Mahony, A Connolly, C Lehane. Subs: P Horgan for Lehane ht; J O’Connor for Connolly (47), G Millerick for Downey (51), A Cadogan for O’Mahony (58), T O’Connell for Harnedy (68),
Galway: Eanna Murphy; J Grealish, Daithi Burke, D Morrissey; P Mannion, G McInerney F Burke; J Cooney, R Glennon; T Monaghan, C Cooney, David Burke. C Mannion, C Fahy, C Whelan. Subs: B Concannon for Fahy (30), J Flynn for McInerney (34), J Coen for Monaghan (45), E Niland for David Burke (69), G Lee for Monaghan (70 +4)
Referee: Paud O’Dywer (Carlow)
