Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
JEKYLL AND FROM TRIBE
Mcstay’s dreams of a double dashed on home soil as Walsh & Co turn on the style down the straight to seal provincial glory and place in the Super 8s
REVENGE for last year for Galway but plenty for Kevin Walsh to ponder as his side marched into the Super 8s as Connacht champions.
Judging by the scoreline, the masterplan worked in the end.
Galway conceded an average of 12 points per game in a hugely impressive run to the Division One final, while their two previous Championship outings this summer resulted in the concession of 0-12 against Mayo and 1-12 against Leitrim.
Yesterday, in front of a sellout 18,864 crowd, they con- the equivalent of 12 points again.
Shane Walsh (below) produced a masterclass in finishing – scoring eight points from 10 attempts.
But it was far from comfortable against a Roscommon side looking to back up last year’s nine-point final humiliation of their rivals and earn back to back Nestor Cup triumphs for the first time since 1990.
Galway had to find a way back twice, firstly from a four-point deficit just into the second half and again when Conor Devaney’s penalty put Roscommon back into the lead in the 63rd minute. They managed it, in fairness, showing plenty of character in doing so.
But they must find a better balance between their defensive approach and the need to have an attacking threat, a balance they only found when their backs were to the wall in the second half.
Earlier, the Rossies bossed the opening period as they sought a first title on home ground in 16 years. After showceded ing scant composure early on, they settled down on a cold, grey afternoon and with Diarmuid Murtagh shooting them ahead, they could take on Galway’s blanket defence with more patience.
And that patience paid off in the 22nd minute when Murtagh’s older brother, Ciarain, scored a fine opening goal.
He had plenty still to do when he received possession on the left but the 25-year-old ghosted past Barry Mchugh on his outside, then cut inside and fired a low shot past Ruairi Lavelle at his near post.
Normally physical and pacy on the counter, Galway were not exerting themselves as they had done all year.
However, they did have Shane Walsh and the former wonderkid effectively kept the Tribesmen in it with some
magnificent point-taking, while Ian Burke also produced a couple of important scores.
Walsh’s free just before the break made it a three-point game but when Diarmuid Murtagh fired over the first score of the second half into the graveyard end, Roscommon looked in good shape.
But Kevin Mcstay had lost influential midfielder Cathal Compton to injury just before the break and while the Rossies manager downplayed the effect of that, Galway clearly got a grip at midfield area after that.
Their front six pressed higher and the pressure on Colm Lavin’s kick-outs told as Galway stayed on the front foot, David Murray’s 52nd minute black card for pulling down Sean Armstrong underlining the stress the Rossies’ backline was now coming under.
Walsh’s free six minutes later put Galway ahead for the first time, with Sean Kelly increasing his side’s lead moments later.
But Roscommon hit back with venom when Diarmuid Murtagh was fouled by Flynn and Devaney dispatched his left-footed spot-kick into the top corner for a one-point lead.
Sink or swim time for Galway, and they responded to the challenge, with Armstrong restoring parity.
Damien Comer had been suffocated by Niall Mcinerney throughout but with Mcinerney switched off him, the Galway skipper finally had the space to threaten and scored a vital, quick-fire brace before Adrian Varley and Burke sealed it for the Tribesmen.