Galway would turn the tide on the Blues in the second half [Photo/Neil McDaid]Galway claws back to claim their first senior victory in years
By Neil McDaid
Saturday May 26, 2007 - Canton, Ma. Galway started their 2007 campaign in the same manner as they closed their 2006 season, with a victory. Although this victory came with much less fanfare than when Galway took the 2006 Boston North East Intermediate title, today’s win marks a long awaited return to senior championship football for this storied Boston GAA club.
Although Galway opened quickly in the first half, scoring a point from play in only the second minute, they would struggle to come to grips with a new look Shannon Blues team.
The Blues seemed to have the upper hand in midfield. New addition Richey Hennessy worked the ball well into a very fast moving Shannon Blues forward line, who were in superb form in the first half. Conor Daly would split the Galway uprights on a fine pass from Gary Henry to get things moving for Shannon Blues.
Although Galway opened quickly in the first half, scoring a point from play in only the second minute, they would struggle to come to grips with a new look Shannon Blues team.
The Blues seemed to have the upper hand in midfield. New addition Richey Hennessy worked the ball well into a very fast moving Shannon Blues forward line, who were in superb form in the first half. Conor Daly would split the Galway uprights on a fine pass from Gary Henry to get things moving for Shannon Blues.
Once things got going for the Blues there was virtually no stopping them as they delivered point after point to close the first half with a 8-3 advantage. Galway’s manager, Manus McFadden, didn’t panic however as he encouraged his men at the break.
Words of encouragement went a long way as again Galway would open the scoring in the second half with a point from Peter Nolan. Shortly thereafter Donal Redmond found an opening and made a deposit into the Shannon Blues net.
An exchange of points from both sides would keep things interesting, but it was veteran player Mickey Joe Hynes who almost stole the show. After an excellent through ball from Tom Walsh, Mickey Joe would work his way within range of the Blues goal, but a miss-judged aim would rob him of his glory.
His disappointment was short lived as Mick Curran, who was brought in as a sub, would get a fist to the ball again raising the green flag for Galway.
Words of encouragement went a long way as again Galway would open the scoring in the second half with a point from Peter Nolan. Shortly thereafter Donal Redmond found an opening and made a deposit into the Shannon Blues net.
An exchange of points from both sides would keep things interesting, but it was veteran player Mickey Joe Hynes who almost stole the show. After an excellent through ball from Tom Walsh, Mickey Joe would work his way within range of the Blues goal, but a miss-judged aim would rob him of his glory.
His disappointment was short lived as Mick Curran, who was brought in as a sub, would get a fist to the ball again raising the green flag for Galway.
The tide had turned on the Blues; they had let Galway claw their way back from their shortfall at the half. Possibly the 85 degree heat or playing into the sun in the second half had taken affect on Shannon Blues. They seemed to slow as the game ticked away but, but as we all knew, the Blues were not going to go down without one last charge.
In the closing minutes of the game we would see a furious attack from the Blues. Down by four points a ballistic rip from forward John Wall could have made the difference for the Blues, but it clipped the cross bar and went over for a point. Another drive from Conor Daly would rebound to Wall who delivered a towering point to close the game.
An elated Galway side had achieved their goal. Knowing that this is only the start of a long season they were very satisfied to be off to a good start. Finals score 2-9 to 0-13.
An elated Galway side had achieved their goal. Knowing that this is only the start of a long season they were very satisfied to be off to a good start. Finals score 2-9 to 0-13.
Posts
