A reader's vote of confidence in Galway football and hurling

I LIVE in Dublin since 1968. I receive the Tuam Herald every week. I listen almost daily at coffee in my local hotel to knowledgeable non-Galway GAA persons, regretting the depressing state of football and hurling in the once great dual county of Galway. But not one of those people, two of whom were backroom management for Dublin footballers this year, think the level of criticism and unpleasantness levelled at Galway senior footballers and hurlers this year was justified. [private] The list of top 50 footballers in 2011 does not include one Galway player. This makes disappointing, but not depressing, reading. It is only one unfortunate year, and I am confident that both Galway senior teams will be on the upward curve again next year. Thanks to three super under-age teams, each brilliantly blended and fine-tuned by a great manager, Galway have won three All-Ireland titles in 2011 and Clarinbridge won the All-Ireland Club Hurling title. Galway were desperately unlucky not to have added the senior camogie title, where a mishit cross by Wexford, intended for a different colleague, eventually and unfortunately finished up in the Galway net. I have a corporate seat at Croke Park since 1968. I rarely miss a match. Since I left Williamstown I have not lost my passionate interest in Williamstown and Galway G.A.A. In all those 43 years I longed for the day when a Williamstown man in a Galway jersey would appear out of the tunnel. Finally, on August 28th, my wish was granted when two talented Williamstown young men, magnificently built full-back Thomas Comer (No. 17), and the County Minor Player of 2010, Gary Kelly (No. 23), trotted out onto the greatest G.A.A. stadium. The U-21 footballers of Kerry went to play Cork in the Munster final in Cork before a large attendance. Cork won 2-24 to 0-8, the biggest winning margin ever by a Cork team against Kerry. Alan Mulholland witnessed this annihilation. His tactics for the All-Ireland semi-final against this supposedly unbeatable Cork team were to attack from the throw-in and continue to run at them with speed and skilful ball-control. I know that Cork expected a blanket defence from Galway and they did not know how to handle these unexpected tactics. In a huge upset, Galway came out on top 1-11 to 0-12. Cavan then brought 14,000 colourful spectators to Croke Park, hoping to win their first All-Ireland U-21 title. Galway carved their way through Cavan's defensive set-up as if it didn't exist, to run out exciting, comprehensive winners, 2-16 to 1-9. In the All-Ireland Minor hurling semi-final, Galway came up against Clare, Munster winners and the bookies' favourite to win the All-Ireland. A hectic game ended with a Galway goal in injury-time to draw level and Galway went on to win in extra-time by five points, 1-23 to 1-18. For the final against a great Dublin side, the Galway team were finely tuned by Mattie Murphy. They outhurled and outscored Dublin to the point where they made Dublin look mediocre. Galway won comfortably, 1-21 to 1-12. With the unpleasant memory of the final against Tipperary in Thurles last year still fresh in their minds, Galway U-21 hurlers prepared long and hard. The semi-final against battle-hardened Munster champions and All-Ireland favourites Limerick was a cracking match. Galway won 0-22 to 2-14. The way was now clear for a second All-Ireland final against Dublin, who had yet to win one All-Ireland even though they were earlier in the year talking about winning four. Three stunning first-half goals put Galway in control and they ran out easy, stylish winners of Galway's third 2011 All-Ireland by ten points, 3-14 to 1-10. Clarinbridge hurlers continued in 2011 where the magnificently entertaining Portumna had left off, with some wonderful late wins when all appeared lost. Their late, late thrilling win over De La Salle, Waterford was further evidence of their never-say-die spirit and hurling talent. Clarinbridge won in injury-time with a late goal on a scoreline of 3-22 to 1-27. Nevertheless, they reserved their best for the big day in Croke Park against the Kilkenny standard-bearers O'Loughlin Gaels. After falling 0-5 to 0-10 behind early on, they went on to produce a standard of hurling that was a sheer joy to witness. It was comparable to any display I have seen, in club or county games, in all my years at Croke Park. They ran out easy winners in a quality exhibition one-sided second half by 2-18 to 0-12. Well done Clarinbridge, you did us all proud. Alan Kerins became one of just a few players who have won All-Ireland Club Championship medals in hurling and football â€â€ along with his All-Ireland senior football, minor hurling, U-21 hurling and three National Hurling League medals plus two Hurling All-Stars and you have quite an impressive collection for this great all-round charitable sportsman.   THE CLASS with which all four of those 2011 finals were won by Galway teams, with a whopping accumulative scoring difference of 40 points (three Galway teams and Clarinbridge 8-68; Cavan-Dublin-Dublin-O'Loughlin Gaels 3-43 = 40 points), took loyal Galway supporters out of their agony at an early stage in each game. No team has ever won three All-Ireland finals in the same year with such a massive scoring difference. Pat McDonagh of Supermac's should be appreciated, and remembered, for his huge input into Galway hurling over the years. Such generosity can sometimes be taken for granted. This is his 21st year sponsoring, which makes him the longest-running continuous sponsor ever. At present, there is nothing wrong with Galway football or hurling that Alan Mulholland and Anthony Cunningham will not identify and gradually rectify. Long may those talented managers last, playing their lovely, effective, attacking style of fast, diagonal ball that has already succeeded in opening up defence-orientated teams like Cavan and Dublin. Their positive philosophy seems to be 'When you are attacking, the opposition cannot score.' The fact is that in winning four All-Ireland finals in 2011, the scoring difference was a sensational 40 points. If anyone reading this considers Galway hurling and football to be still in the doldrums, he or she is not a genuine Galway supporter.   â€â€ Kevin Parsons (formerly Polredmond, Williamstown) [/private]