Tribesmen take step towards redemption

Galway 0-22   Limerick 2-14

GALWAY have earned the right to make amends for one of their most humiliating All-Ireland U-21 hurling final defeats by accounting for Limerick in an entertaining semi-final in Thurles on Saturday evening.
Having suffered an embarrassing 5-22 to 0-12 defeat at the hands of Tipperary last year, Galway returned to Semple Stadium all fired up to qualify for this year’s decider.
Superior scoring power, greater strength in depth and a never-say-die spirit helped the Tribesmen overcome the setback of conceding goals at crucial stages to emerge deserving two-point winners.
Anthony Cunningham’s men will now play Dublin, who hammered Antrim 3-12 to 0-6 in the other semi-final, in Thurles on September 10.
Limerick entered the contest as slight favourites after dispatching Cork in extra-time following an epic battle in the Munster decider.
However, the men in green and white never scaled the heights of this encounter and over-relied on the impressive Shane Dowling, who finished with 2-5, for the bulk of their scores.
Galway, in sharp contrast, looked far more potent in attack where man of the match, Niall Burke, who notched seven points, five in the opening half, Barry Daly and Tadgh Haran in the first half excelled.
Despite losing wing-back Rory Foy on a second yellow card after a high awkward challenge on Declan Hannon, with five minutes left, Galway showed great nerve to survive in a tight finish.
The contest, played before an attendance of 8,125, ended in a welter of excitement as Shane Dowling converted a free to leave the bare minimum between the sides in the 55th minute.
Niall Burke edged Galway two points ahead again, before Dowling converted a free and before the end of normal time Niall Donoghue made a great catch, only to be penalised for over-carrying out of Galway’s full-back line.
Dowling went for a goal from a 40m free, which was blocked when a point seemed to be the more advisable option before Limerick substitute, William Griffin was wide with a late scoring attempt.
The South-Galway contingent played a key role in achieving success. Niall Donoghue had a stormer at full-back and his dominance over Limerick captain, Kevin Downes, who was a doubtful starter as a result of a cracked bone in his hand, reduced their opponents’ scoring threat.
Jason Grealish caught the eye at wing-back, Johnny Coen’s workrate at midfield was noteworthy, while David Burke made an impact at midfield and full-forward.
Although Galway dominated the early exchanges, racing into an 0-5 to 0-2 lead, the sides were level in the 10th minute when Dowling battled the sliotar past Jamie Ryan in the Galway net.
Limerick found it difficult to cope with Niall Burke and Galway’s tactic of constantly changing their forwards, which yielded a succession of points to earn them a 0-14 to 1-9 interval advantage.
Seven minutes into the second half, Limerick went 2-9 to 0-15 ahead when Dowling blasted a penalty to the back of the net. However, Galway never panicked and continued to fire over points from all angles to stay in front until the final whistle.

Galway: Jamie Ryan (Craughwell); Declan Connolly (Killimer-Dal), Niall Donoghue (Kilbeacanty), Ger O’Halloran (Craughwell); Jason Grealish (Gort), Paul Gordan, (Tynagh-Abbey Duniry), Rory Foy, (Ballindereen); Johnny Coen, (Loughrea), David Burke, (St Thomas); Barry Daly (captain, Clarinbridge), Niall Burke, (Oranmore), Tadhg Haran, (Liam Mellows); James Regan, (St Thomas), Conor Cooney, (St Thomas), Davy Glennon, (Mullagh).
Subs: Bernard Burke (St Thomas) and Donal Fox, (Carnmore) for Tadhg Haran.
Scorers: Niall Burke (0-7), Tadhg Haran (0-7, 5f), Barry Daly (0-3), David Burke, Conor Cooney, Davy Glennon, Bernard Burke and James Regan (0-1) each.
Frees: 14; wides: 7
Limerick: Aaron Murphy; Alan Dempsey, Patrick Begley, Steve O’Reilly; James O’Brien, Cian Hayes, Thomas O’Callaghan; Conor Allis, Seán O’Brien; Niall Kennedy, Declan Hannon, Shane Dowling; Michael Ryan, Kevin Downes (captain), Graeme Mulcahy.
Subs: Mark Carmody (29 mins) for Kevin Downes, Kevin O’Donnell (48 mins) for Niall Kennedy and Barry O’Connell (50 mins) for Alan Dempsey.
Scorers: Shane Dowling (2-5, 1-0 penalty, 0-5f), Declan Hannon (0-4, one sideline), Niall Kennedy, Conor Allis, Seán O’Brien, Kevin O’Donnell and Graeme Mulchy (0-1) each.
Frees: 10; wides: 7
Referee: Anthony Stapleton (Laois).