Leinster SHC: Galway triumph in Tullamore

Leinster Senior Hurling Championship Round Two

Galway 2-25 Offaly 1-14

By Kevin Egan at Glenisk O’Connor Park

Galway put their Leinster championship campaign back on course with a comprehensive win over Offaly, achieved largely on the back of an outstanding performance from Cathal Mannion.

For Offaly, the optimism that followed their strong showing in Parnell Park will have dissipated, as they failed entirely in their bid to raise a gallop in front of 10,073 supporters in their first home Leinster SHC game since an equally dismal showing against Wexford seven years ago.

They got the start they wanted through an early Killian Sampson goal, but from the throw in, they were shipping water in the full-back line.

Colm Molloy’s introduction for his championship debut was a late change to the starting 15 and the diminutive corner-forward wasted no time in making his mark, firing over three points in the first 10 minutes, leading to his marker Pádraig Cantwell being called ashore with 21 minutes played.

Then there was Mannion, whose main early contribution was to pounce on a misplaced Mark Troy puckout to fire the ball under the goalie for Galway’s first goal.

The Tribesmen moved four clear before a brace of frees and a majestic Charlie Mitchell point cut the gap to the minimum and got the crowd into the game by the 15 minute mark, but from then until half-time it was one-way traffic.

Daithí Burke’s return to full back made a strong impact as he controlled that key position, with Pádraic Mannion and TJ Brennan also dominant in the wing-back berths. However it was Mannion who really ran the show, converting his own scores and also dropping outfield to orchestrate play for the Tribesmen.

There was a stroke of luck to their second goal as he dropped in a ’65 and it deflected off Donal Shirley’s hurl past Mark Troy for a second Galway goal, but Offaly were handed another lifeline when the sides sparked off one another going into the dressing room at half-time, and Daithí Burke was shown a straight red card by James Owens after the two teams emerged from the dressing rooms.

It could have been more. Troy made two stunning saves to deny Mannion further goals, initially from a 20 metre piledriver and then again when Molloy collected the rebound and was dragged to the ground for a penalty.

Instead of seizing the advantage with their extra man, Offaly scored just two points in the third quarter, and by then Galway were out of sight. Their most egregious miss was when Cillian Kiely fired wide from close-range after being put through by Mitchell, but between frees and open play, plenty more went abegging. Even the introduction of Adam Screeney for his first senior action of the year couldn’t rouse the crowd, as only Mannion’s brilliance illuminated another flat encounter.

He added to his tally and set up more opportunities for Concannon, Molloy and Brennan, but the dull pace of the contest started to infect the rest of the Galway team too, with the Tribesmen adding eight final quarter wides when they could have put a gulf between the teams.

As it stands, they got the result they needed, but the sense that they have ground to make up on Kilkenny – at least – will remain.

Scorers for Galway: Cathal Mannion 2-8 (1-0 65, 3fs), Colm Molloy 0-5, Brian Concannon 0-3, TJ Brennan 0-3, Conor Whelan 0-2, David Burke 0-1, Tiernan Killeen 0-1, Cianán Fahy 0-1, John Fleming 0-1.
Scorers for Offaly: Brian Duignan 0-5 (4fsf), Killian Sampson 1-1, Adam Screeney 0-3 (2fs), Charlie Mitchell 0-2, Dan Ravenhill 0-2 (0-1f), Oisín Kelly 0-1.

Glaway: Darach Fahy; Fintan Burke, Daithí Burke, Darren Morrissey; Pádraic Mannion, Gavin Lee, TJ Brennan; Cianán Fahy, David Burke; John Fleming, Tiernan Killeen, Conor Whelan; Brian Concannon, Cathal Mannion, Colm Molloy.

Subs: Tom Monaghan for Killeen (33), Conor Cooney for Fleming (55), Donal O’Shea for Molloy (60), Seán Linnane for David Burke (62), Ronan Glennon for C Mannion (68).

Offaly: Mark Troy; Pádraig Cantwell, Ciarán Burke, Ben Conneely; Ross Ravenhill, Donal Shirley, Jason Sampson; Cathal King, David King; Killian Sampson, Daniel Bourke, Oisín Kelly; Dan Ravenhill, Brian Duignan, Charlie Mitchell.

Subs: Cillian Kiely for J Sampson (21), James Mahon for Cantwell (24), Adam Screeney for D King (42), Eoin Burke for Kiely (48), Colin Spain for Conneely (62).

Referee: James Owens (Wexford).

Team News Galway v Kilkenny, Leinster Minor Hurling Championship R2

Our Minor Hurlers make the trip to UPMC Nowlan Park on Saturday (April 26th) for a Round 2 clash Leinster Minor Hurling clash with Kilkenny.

Game throws in at 1.30pm.

📻 Match Commentary on Galway Bay FM

Buy Match Tickets ⤵️

https://www.universe.com/events/electric-ireland-leinster-mhc-tier-1-round-2-kilkenny-v-galway-tickets-L5NKDC

Best of Kenneth Burke, Team Management and our Minor Hurling Squad !

#riseofthetribes
#gaillimhabú

Team News: Galway v Offaly, Leinster Senior Hurling Championship R2

Our Senior Hurlers make the trip to Glenisk O’Connor Park on Saturday to face Offaly in Round 2 of the Leinster Senior Hurling championship.

📍Glenisk O’Connor Park, Tullamore
🗓️Saturday 26th April
🕓6.30pm
📱Live Scores via WhatstheScor App
📻 Commentary on Galway Bay FM

✖️ Please Note the game is Not Streamed or Televised, please do not click on any fake links ✖️

Match Tickets are on sale here
https://www.ticketmaster.ie/offaly-v-galway-leinster-senior-hurling-co-offaly-26-04-2025/event/1800627BAF4053EA

Best of Luck to our Senior Hurlers and Management !

#riseofthetribes
#gaillimhabú

 

Team News: Galway v Dublin, Leinster U17 Hurling Championship

Our Minor Hurlers begin their Leinster Hurling Championship campaign on Easter Sunday with a trip to Parnell Park to face Dublin.

Game throws in at 1pm.

📻 Commentary on Galway Bay FM
Buy Match Tickets ⤵️
https://www.universe.com/events/electric-ireland-leinster-m-h-c-2025-tier-1-round-1-dublin-v-galway-tickets-V4PF8K

Best of Kenneth Burke, Team Management and our Minor Hurling Squad for the season ahead!

#riseofthetribes
#gaillimhabú

Team News: Galway v Kilkenny, Leinster Senior Hurling Championship R1

Galway make the trip to UMPC Nowlan Park on Saturday to face Kilkenny as their Leinster Senior Hurling championship season gets underway!

📍UPMC Nowlan Park, Kilkenny
🗓️Saturday 19th April
🕓3.45pm
📺Live on RTE TV
📱Live Scores via WhatstheScor App
📻 Commentary on Galway Bay FM

Match Tickets are on sale here
https://www.ticketmaster.ie/kilkenny-v-galway-leinster-senior-hurling-kilkenny-19-04-2025/event/1800627BA3C84090

#riseofthetribes
#gaillimhabú

Team News: Galway v Cork, AHL Round 7

The Galway Senior Hurling team to face Cork on Saturday in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh is announced

Galway v Cork

Supervalu Páirc Ui Caoimh | 7.30PM | Live on RTE

📻Commentary on Galway Bay FM and RnaG Spórt

📱Live score updates via Whatsthescor App on our X feed

📺Watch Live on RTE TV

🎟️ Buy Match Tickets online and in selected Centra and SuperValu stores⬇️
https://www.ticketmaster.ie/cork-v-galway-allianz-hurling-league-cork-22-03-2025/event/18006226923F13C2

Best of Luck to Micheál, Team Management and our Senior Hurling squad !

#riseofthetribes
#gaillimhabú

Team News: Galway v Limerick AHL Rd6

Our Senior Hurlers travel to the TUS Gaelic Grounds to face Limerick in Round 6 of the Allianz Hurling League on Saturday.

Galway V Limerick | Saturday March 8th 2025  | TUS Gaelic Grounds, Limerick | 7.30PM

Match Commentary live on Galway Bay FM and RnaG Spórt.

Live score updates via WhatstheScor App on our X feed

Watch Live on Spórt TG4 TV

🎟️ Buy Match Tickets online and in selected Centra and SuperValu stores⬇️

https://www.ticketmaster.ie/limerick-v-galway-allianz-hurling-league-limerick-city-08-03-2025/event/18006194DF98ADA3

Best of Luck to Micheál, Team Management and our Senior Hurling squad !

#riseofthetribes
#gaillimhabú

 

Allianz HL D1A: Galway defeat Wexford

Allianz Hurling League Division 1A

Galway 2-19 Wexford 1-20

By Ronan Fagan at Chadwicks Wexford Park

Galway withstood a late Wexford fight-back to make it three Allianz Hurling League Division 1A wins on the spin after Saturday’s topsy-turvy duel at Chadwicks Wexford Park.

The Tribesmen hit a decisive surge between the 42nd and 56th minutes when transforming a 1-11 to 1-10 deficit into a 2-16 to 1-13 lead when substitute Conor Cooney struck a penalty earned by fellow substitute Kevin Cooney.

But Wexford, with a game to come away to Limerick, battled for their Division 1A lives only to be thwarted as Galway continue their stunning response to the opening day setback against Tipperary.

Galway zipped 0-3 to 0-0 ahead within eight minutes with David Burke quick off the mark on his seasonal debut as Michael Garvey (free) and Cianan Fahy also obliged.

Wexford quickly sorted themselves out, and after Seamus Casey cut the gap to 0-3 to 0-1 from a free, Rory O’Connor was denied a goal by a Jack Grealish intervention after Simon Donohoe’s booming clearance.

Nevertheless, Wexford’s growing momentum saw them assert by 0-5 to 0-3 after 20 minutes courtesy of Casey (three placed-balls) and Jack O’Connor, the latter from a Lee Chin set up.

But this closely contested event was tied for a second time after 27 minutes (0-7 each) with corner-back Darren Morrissey producing a tidy score along with Tiernan Killeen (free), Garvey (free) and Burke.

Wexford appeared set to hold a slight edge at the interval as Cathal Dunbar, defender Conor Foley and Rory O’Connor nudged them ahead by 0-10 to 0-9.

However, they were rocked three minutes into added-time when Anthony Burns made the most of a Wexford defensive mix-up from a Garvey free to bundle to the net and grab a 1-9 to 0-10 lead at the break.

While substitute Kevin Cooney instantly made it a three point gap on the restart, Rory O’Connor had Wexford right back in the mix when turning over a poor Galway puck-out to net, before Richie Lawlor had the locals amongst the 4,658 attendance cheering loudly as Wexford nudged back in front (1-11 to 1-10).

Wexford hopes turned to dread as Galway responded to assert by 2-16 to 1-13 when Cooney blasted home the 56th minute penalty.

Wexford, with the rousing victory over Clare fresh in their minds, refused to go down without a fight, and five frees from Lee Chin saw them close to within 2-19 to 1-20 in the 70th minute.

And the home-side were denied from a last-gasp effort to snatch victory from a free by ‘keeper Mark Fanning in the fifth minute of injury-time as they look destined for relegation, with Galway improving.

Scorers for Galway: Michael Garvey 0-5 (3fs), Conor Cooney 1-2 (1-0 penalty, 2fs), Anthony Burns 1-1, David Burke, Tiernan Killeen (frees), Kevin Cooney 0-2 each, Cianan Fahy, Darren Morrissey, Tom Monaghan, Colm Molloy, Seán Linnane 0-1 each.

Scorers for Wexford: Seamus Casey 0-7 (5fs, 2 65s), Rory O’Connor 1-2, Lee Chin 0-5 (5 frees), Jack O’Connor, Cathal Dunbar, Conor Foley, Richie Lawlor, Conor Hearne, Shane Reck 0-1 each.

Galway: Darach Fahy; Jack Grealish, Fintan Burke, Darren Morrissey; Pádraic Mannion, Gavin Lee, Michael Garvey; Cianan Fahy, David Burke; Brian Concannon, Tom Monaghan, Tiernan Killeen; Declan McLoughlin, Conor Whelan, Anthony Burns.

Subs: Kevin Cooney for McLoughlin (HT), Conor Cooney for Concannon (47), Colm Molloy (0-1) for Burns (59), Seán Linnane for D. Burke (60).

Wexford: Mark Fanning; Eoin Ryan, Damien Reck, Simon Donohoe; Conor Foley, Richie Lawlor, Charlie McGuckin; Conor Hearne, Cathal Dunbar; Jack Redmond, Lee Chin, Jack O’Connor; Kevin Foley, Rory O’Connor, Seamus Casey.

Subs: Shane Reck for D Reck, inj (35+3), Simon Roche for Redmond (HT), Niall Murphy for Ryan (HT), Tomás Kinsella for Casey (60), Mikie Dwyer for Dunbar (66).

Referee: Seán Stack (Dublin).

Team News: Galway v Wexford AHL Rd5

Following a bye in the last round, our Senior Hurlers travel to Chadwicks Wexford Park to face Wexford in Round 5 of the Allianz Hurling League on Saturday.

GALWAY V WEXFORD  | Saturday March 1st 2025  | Chadwicks Wexford Park  | 5PM

Commentary on Galway Bay FM and RnaG Spórt.

Live score updates via WhatstheScor App on our X feed

Game is not televised do not click on fake links!

🎟️ Buy Match Tickets online and in selected Centra and SuperValu stores⬇️
https://www.ticketmaster.ie/wexford-v-galway-allianz-hurling-league-wexford-01-03-2025/event/18006194ED1CB078

Best of Luck to Micheál, Team Management and our Senior Hurling squad !

#riseofthetribes
#gaillimhabú

‘Silent leader’ Michael Coleman will always be remembered

By John Harrington

For those who knew him, the shock of Michael Coleman’s death last Friday after an accident while clearing storm damage near his home won’t dissipate for a very long time.

The three-time All-Star was unbreakable for the Galway hurlers in his playing days and was still a fit, strong man, which makes his passing all the harder to believe.

His former Galway manager, Cyril Farrell, is still struggling to come to terms with it.

“It’s unbelievable,” says Farrell. “Of all the lads going, it’s just still very hard to believe that he’s dead.

“He was a giant on the pitch and a giant off it. A very unassuming fella who was very involved in his community.

“He was a lovely lad who preferred to work away in the background and was a great man to get things done.

“He was a warrior who played it very hard but also played it very fair. He never complained or blamed anyone else. He just took everything on the chin.

“He was the same off the field, very much a silent leader. He had a great work ethic, the Coleman family would be like that.

“He came from a family where your word was your bond. That kind of a family where hard work and honesty were the corner-stones.”

Before last Saturday’s Allianz Hurling League match against Clare in Pearse Stadium the entire Galway squad and backroom gathered together while Conor Whelan laid a number eight jersey on the field.

The Galway team and supporters stand for a moments silence in memory of the late Michael Coleman before the Allianz Hurling League Division 1A match between Galway and Clare at Pearse Stadium in Galway. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile.

The Galway team and supporters stand for a moments silence in memory of the late Michael Coleman before the Allianz Hurling League Division 1A match between Galway and Clare at Pearse Stadium in Galway. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile.

It was a fitting tribute to the totemic midfielder, thought the man himself was never the type to court them.

“Coleman was a very simple person like most great people are,” says his former Galway team-mate, Pete Finnerty.

“He never over-complicated his life with big business or high finance or anything like that. All Coleman ever wanted was his family, his friends, Abbeyknockmoy, Galway hurling, and cigarettes. That was Michael Coleman.

“He was a great character and had the same respect for everybody he met. It didn’t matter who you were, you got the same greeting and length of time with him.

“He just loved helping people and loved doing it under the radar. He never wanted any big recognition for it or anything. He was just one of these people that you don’t meet too often.

“You never had to speak to Coleman. You had this unwritten and accepted thing that both of us did our best so when you’d meet him it would be just a nod across a street or at a funeral or a wedding or whatever you’d be at.

“You didn’t have to talk and relive anything. You knew that he had given his best and I had given my best and both of us respected each other for that.

“He was that kind of a person. He didn’t need plaudits and you wouldn’t know what he’d won or whether he’d won anything.”

Coleman made his championship debut for Galway in 1988 and played a key role in their All-Ireland win that year and again the following year in 1989.

Shane O'Neill of Limerick in action against Michael Coleman of Galway during the National Hurling League Final match between Limerick and Galway at Cusack Park in Ennis, Clare. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile.

Shane O’Neill of Limerick in action against Michael Coleman of Galway during the National Hurling League Final match between Limerick and Galway at Cusack Park in Ennis, Clare. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile.

Physically powerful, dominant in the air, and a great distributor of the ball, he was one of the best midfielders of his generation.

“He was teak tough to hurl against,” says Finnerty.

“I hurled against him at club level and you just hated marking him. I think the Tipperary lads called him the helicopter because his elbows, knees, and arms would all be going and he’d be flailing left and right and it was just very difficult to get a ball off him or win a ball against him. He had incredible strength as well.

“As a character in the dressing-room he wasn’t very loud, he wouldn’t be shouting and roaring or anything like that, but there was a steeliness and steadiness about him so you knew you didn’t have to look after him.

“The other lads you might be worried that nerves would get to them and you’d be talking to them and keeping them in it, but Coleman would take his corner in the dressing-room and sit out and with about five minutes to go would sneak off into the toilet and have a quiet fag. Then into the huddle and out we go and you never had to worry about him or think about him.

“You’d always chalk him down as present and ready to go. He was just one of those people who could look after himself, did his own thing, and was a great leader as well when he had to be.”

Coleman was hard man, but he always hurled fairly. Tipperary’s Colm Bonner had some great battles with him over the years and had huge respect for his opponent.

“He was such a tough marker and he had a tremendous catch and a huge presence on the field,” says Bonner.

“He just gave everything when he pulled on that Galway jersey. I had huge admiration for him in terms of his physical conditioning and how he kept himself going.

“When he pulled or whipped on that ball you wouldn’t want to be on the wrong side of it. He was a very physical player and brought all of that into his game, but very fair too.

“I have only the utmost of respect for him.

“Michael Coleman typified everything that was good about Galway hurling in terms of that toughness but also in terms of his ability to hurl.

“It’s very sad to see him go. He’s the same age as myself and you just don’t see life ending that quick.”

Declan Ryan of Tipperary in action against Michael Coleman of Galway during the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final match between Tipperary and Galway at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile.

Declan Ryan of Tipperary in action against Michael Coleman of Galway during the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final match between Tipperary and Galway at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile.

Having already lost Tony Keady in 2017, the death of Coleman is another bitter pill for the Galway hurlers of the ‘80s and ‘90s who remain a very tight bunch.

“It brought it straight back again,” says Finnerty. “It was like going back nearly eight years now, it’s hard to believe.

“You’re asking yourself ‘why?’ again. You’re thinking he was too young, you’re thinking of the family and everyone he’s left behind. You’re thinking you won’t get to see him, have a game of golf with him, have a laugh with him.

“It puts it into perspective too, we’re all getting older. That’s a second one gone off the field now. It just shows how uncertain life is.

“When you soldier together as players for so long and you win and lose with them and get to the goal that we all have starting off which is to win an All-Ireland.

“When you do that a bond does form and there’s just a massive respect there. The minute you meet them again you go straight back into the dressing-room you were in 40 years ago as a minor or a senior.

“That bond is there and when somebody leaves the circle it makes the circle smaller. It’s hard.”

Solas na bhFlaitheas ar a anam uasal.