News

Galway off to a perfect start

28 September 2009

Galway Mens got their season off to the perfect start with a resounding 6-1 win over Limerick. It was expected to be a tough start for new captain Andrew Kinsella and his young side. Kinsella put his faith in young charges with senior debuts for Evan Wynne, Samuel, Richard and John Gaughan. Chesney, a close season signing from Midleton, was also handed a start at left back. Plenty of questions where being asked about this Galway team beforehand after the departures of Chris Russell, Darragh Curley, Frank Hogan, Dave Wall and Fergal Keaveney.

Limerick started the better of the two sides and had Galway on the back foot for the opening ten minutes but with the majority of possession they never really troubled a resolute Galway defence. As Limerick pressed forward, it left room for Galway to counter attack. After Limerick a Limerick attack was broken down, Galway broke with Andrew Kinsella who released Mark O'Connor and his ball played Richard through on goal and his pass left Evan with an easy chance and he duly applied the finish. A perfect start to this young man's senior career. 1-0 Galway. Galway now were playing champagne hockey and it wasn’t long before goal number two arrived. Galway broke down the right and Darren Fahy broke into the circle and was fouled resulting in a short corner. From this Evan played the ball back to Fahy and he slotted home. By now the Limerick men were rattled. Galway continued to press forward a long ball out of the Galway defence found Darren Fahy who was subsequently fouled. A quick free from Darren Fahy released Barnaby Gaughan and he fired home to give Galway a 3-0 lead. Limerick mounted some what of a late rally and were rewarded with a goal from a short corner.  3-1 at half time to the tribesmen.

In the second half, Galway began in much better fashion and had a lions share of possession. Galway had numerous chances to extend their lead from short corners but these were wasted largely thanks to poor pushing. The back four of Mark O’Connor, Mike Tighe, Cian O’Sullivan and Chesney never really looked troubled and Cian and Chesney in particular were able to get forward at every opportunity. As Galway continued to dominate, goal number four arrived as O’Connor’s push out made its way to Darren Fahy who was now at the edge of the circle and he fired home for his second of the afternoon. With Kinsella and Gaughan pulling the strings in midfield, good patient build-up set up the impressive Dave Kennedy who superbly  flicked over the keeper and had an even better celebration! Hopefully Galway will see more of the same from Kennedy in the weeks to come. Galway never took their foot off the gas and Fahy completed his hat-trick after Kinsella played an excellent through ball, he beat two defenders and as he attempted a flick pass to Richard , it luckily rebounded back into his path and he applied the finish from an acute angle. 6-1.

It was the perfect start for this much changed Galway team and will surely boost confidence ahead of the visit of Cork Church Of Ireland’s visit next Sunday. Kinsella must be impressed with the debuts of the young guns who worked tirelessly up front and the back four looks solid for the season ahead. With departures of key players, the likes of Gaughan, Kennedy and Fahy will be expected to step up the plate and produce form like in this throughout the season.