Heaney strikes to show Tribe’s spirit level is increasing
ASECOND half goal from Johnny Heaney gave Galway a priceless one point win away to Monaghan, with a strong second half display sealing the victory for Kevin Walsh’s side.
This game will not live long in the memory, as poor a spectacle as you could imagine with Galway operating a blanket defence in the opening half.
Monaghan, just to compound matters, made numerous basic mistakes and handling errors, while the hosts often opted to shoot from distance while they would have been better served had they remained patient.
Galway played more expansive football in the second half, however, and it ultimately led to a scoring burst which sealed the victory.
The optics may not have been appealing over all but, in a business which results are king, this was a much-needed win for Galway after suffering a heavy defeat against Dublin in their previous game.
And they needed to show some grit, as Monaghan made a great start, scoring three frees in the first 12 minutes, with Jack McCarron (two) and Conor McManus finding the target for the home side.
Galway almost had a goal but Padraig Cunningham’s effort sailed narrowly wide and the visitors would not score for the first 20 minutes of the match.
Jonathan Duane eventually opened Galway’s account with a well taken point, though that was quickly cancelled out by Vinny Corey’s effort eight minutes Shane Galway later. Walsh finished adding strongly two points with for the Tribesmen before Darren Hughes responded for Monaghan with a superb counter attacking score.
Monaghan held a 0-5 to 0-4 lead at the interval, but a further point from Walsh levelled the game after the break.
McManus restored Monaghan’s advantage with a neat effort, but Galway dominated from this stage on and three successive scores gave Kevin Walsh’s side the lead for the first time.
McManus and Michael Daly traded scores, before Galway got the game’s opening goal.
It arrived in the 60th minute, courtesy of Johnny Heaney, with the Killannin star finishing from close range after a well worked short free, which caught the Monaghan defence off guard. Monaghan did not give up, though, points and with a despite McManus 10 minutes trailing free reduced remaining, by five the deficit to four to give them just a sliver of hope that they could stage a comeback. Indeed, further scores halved Galway’s advantage, before Rory Beggan’s 45’ cut the gap to a single score. Galway’s game-plan is based on a strong defensive unit, however, and it paid dividends come full time, as Monaghan were unable to find the target, with the Connacht side holding out for a one-point win. This result will be of great frustration to the Monaghan contingent, as they have failed to push on since defeating All-Ireland champions Dublin in their opening game, suffering defeats to Roscommon and Galway in their last encounters.