Conroy pulls strings in Newry as Galway set the early pace
AN EARLY scoring burst from Paul Conroy and some late frees from Shane Walsh earned Galway back-to-back League wins as they continued their push for instant promotion back to the top flight.
Paul Conroy’s 1-2 from play in the opening 15 minutes gave Galway a nice cushion on the road and they were able to keep Down at arm’s length after that – although an inspired 10 minutes from Barry O’Hagan after the interval almost brought Down back into the contest.
The Mournemen have plenty to ponder after another low-scoring total with only three points registered from play.
After a seven-point loss in Derry last week, not a lot was expected against a Galway side that thrashed Meath by 11 points.
Although Galway chose to play with the aid of a strong wind in the first half, there’s no way the gale was accountable for the eightpoint cushion they held at the
break. Inevitably, Conroy was a central character in it all, setting the tone with a well-taken goal after six minutes.
He gathered Caolan Mooney’s spill inside his own half and after some genius from Shane Walsh, charged into the square to finish the move with a low finish.
Barry O’Hagan scored Down’s sole point from play in the first half three minutes after before Galway added the next four points in a row.
The Tribesmen finished the half with a flourish with three points on the bounce.
With Galway leading 1-7 to 0-2 at half-time, it looked ominous for
Down but they made a great start to the second half thanks to an inspired O’Hagan.
He dragged Down back into the tie with three points on the spin in an eight-minute spell at the start of the second half when he also set up Cormac McCartan to fire over.
He won and converted three marks and gave Galway captain Sean Kelly a torrid time in the process.
With Down trailing 0-6 to 1-7, the home crowd got behind their team but Galway had enough resolve to take the sting out of the contest.
Owen Gallagher scored Galway’s first point from play in the second half after 56 minutes.
Although they struggled to find Comer in the square, opting to keep ball and work it through the hands against a stiff breeze, he cut through a few times and won a free which Walsh converted to ease their worries over a possible Down comeback.
After such early promise at the start of the second half, Down couldn’t sustain it and after scoring 0-6 last week in defeat to Derry, their tally of 0-9 will again leave James McCartan scratching his head.
However, he will have quality players to return including, perhaps, some from All-Ireland club finalists Kilcoo.
Galway will have been more than happy to head home with another two points as they hope to build up a head of steam for a quick exit out of Division 2.
DoWN: G McMahon; P Fegan, F McElroy, B McArdle; R McCormack (C Francis 66), N McParland (T Close 68), K McKernan (P Havern 55); A Doherty, O Murdock; C Mooney (J McCartan 58), L Kerr, C McCartan; B O’Hagan (C Poland 52), D O’Hagan, A Gilmore Scorers: B O’Hagan 0-5 (2m, 1f), A Gilmore 0-3 (3f), C McCartan 0-1
GALWAy: C Flaherty; K Molloy, S Kelly, (D Connolly 68) J McGrath; D McHugh, J Daly (T Gill 52), C McDaid; P Kelly, P Conroy; M Tierney, O Gallagher, F O Laoi (P Kelly 45); S Walsh, R Finnerty (D Comer 30), T Culhane (C Sweeney 58).
Scorers: P Conroy 1-2, S Walsh 0-5 (4f, 1m), O Gallagher 0-2, R Finnerty 0-1, T Culhane, D Comer 0-1 (m) each.
REfEREE: Brendan Cawley (Kildare)