Galway taking a leaf from Tyrone’s book: Corey
WHEN Cathal Corey watched his Sligo side lose by 4-24 to 1-12 to Galway in the Connacht Championship semi-final, he felt he was offered irrefutable proof that Kevin Walsh’s side would be among the favourites for the All-Ireland title.
Tyrone native Corey, who hails from Kildress, had hoped that his Yeats County outfit might be able to stretch the Tribesmen, but when they engaged overdrive there was simply no answer to their power and penetration on the day.
Galway will now face Roscommon in the Connacht decider at Dr Hyde Park tomorrow but they will not be fazed in the least by the challenge, according to Corey.
“Galway play very similarly to the manner in which Tyrone played in 2003,” states Corey.
“They’re well organised, everyone knows their role and jobs in the system. They’re one of the favourites to win the All-Ireland title this year.”
Certainly Galway’s impressive surge through the league and the manner in which they have swatted away opposition to date in Connacht suggest that another provincial title is a mere formality.
“They have key players in form, they have resources on the bench and they can adapt their game to suit the needs of the occasion,” insists Corey.
Corey’s comparison with Tyrone’s style of 2003 has its foundation in the fact that Paddy Tally, who trained the Red Hands to their first All-Ireland crown, is now an integral — and very valued — member of the Galway management team.
“You can see it in the way they counter-attack yet can still keep their defensive guard up,” points out Corey.
“This makes them very difficult to play against.”
Meanwhile, Antrim face a stern test against Dublin in today’s Leinster Minor Hurling Championship quarter-final at Dowdallshill, Dundalk (2.00).
The young Saffrons can look to Anthony Gallagher and Cormac Donnelly at the back to underpin their defence, while Ryan Hill, Ronan McAteer and Ryan McFarlane are capable of taking scores.