Hurlers go to Waterford for Super-Sunday faced with relegation or the League title!

By NOEL CARNEY Galway ......................... 2-12 Cork ............................. 2-12 A POINT LOST rather than one gained as far as Galway are concerned and they remain rooted to the bottom of Division 1A of the Allianz National Hurling League table as a result of failing to beat Cork in an action-packed clash at Pearse Stadium, Salthill on Sunday. Anthony Cunninghamâ€â„¢s team looked well placed to drive on to a badly needed victory when Cyril Donnellan drove in a fine goal at the three-quarter stage as it gave them a four-point lead with a strong wind at their backs. But they failed to build on that crucial score and a green flag courtesy of Corkâ€â„¢s Paudie Oâ€â„¢Sullivan scuppered their chances of winning. While Galway probably should have won the match it is also true to say they could have lost it late on in a game that had many twists and turns. A lively Rebel County side often showed lovely touches and sweeping movements but some very bad wides from over-ambitious shooting hindered their chances of an away win. Galwayâ€â„¢s hopes of avoiding a relegation battle now depend on winning a very difficult away game in Walsh Park against table-toppers Waterford and even if they win that they will be depending on other results going their way. Indeed the division is so tight that Galway could yet sneak into the semi-finals and even win the competition if fortune favours them. Amazingly, that is also true of all teams in the division. Waterford may be the top side with only one game left but if they lose and other results go against them they could conceivably be relegated. The fixture makers could not have wished for a better scenario leading up to what Sky Sports would undoubtedly describe as Super Sunday. For once it would not be an exaggeration. Whatever about the swings and roundabouts it was refreshing to see Galway showing far more spirit and determination than they displayed in recent weeks in the matches with Clare and Tipperary. Results for all counties have been see-sawing wildly from game to game with Waterford being the most consistent team in the competition so far. With over 6,000 spectators in the ground, when children who got in free were included in the figures, the atmosphere was ideal, especially after Galway footballers had got the afternoon off to a flier by beating Wexford convincingly in the opening leg of the double-header. Once again though, the hurlers were depending too much on Joe Canning for scores even though Cyril Donnellan again underlined his importance to the team with 1-2. We again saw plenty of energy and indeed another fine goal by Davy Glennon who has put himself into pole position for a starting place in the Championship. By next week the heroes of St Thomasâ€â„¢s will have returned to the panel with David Burke, who has been badly missed, Conor Cooney, a revelation in the march to glory in the All-Ireland Clubs Championship, James Regan, Darragh Burke and possibly others strengthening the panel. The experience of men like Tony Óg Regan, Niall Healy and Aonghus Callanan could yet prove crucial, too, before the year is out. Cork had the benefit of the strong wind in the first half of this game but their slender 1-7 to 1-6 lead at the break seemed to put Galway into a favourable position if they were able to take advantage of it. An evenly balanced opening twenty minutes saw Jimmy Barry-Murphyâ€â„¢s charges edging it 0-4 to 0-3 after Joe Canning had given his side a 2-0 lead via a 65 and a delightful effort from play. He also got a second from play shortly afterwards. Cork always looked dangerous when they attacked. Patrick Horgan (free), midfielder Lorcan McLoughlin who finished with 0-3, Pa Cronin from distance and Paudie Oâ€â„¢Sullivan all found the target. They often had Galway under pressure but the home defence were defiant with Niall Donohue, Kevin Hynes who was having his best game for some time and David Collins who seems to be settling into the centre-back role, all doing well. In midfield, Iarla Tannian was closer to his best form and Andy Smith was battling with plenty of determination. Cork went close to a goal when Patrick Horgan pulled on a rolling ball from the edge of the square but it went across the goalmouth and inches wide, and when a green flag was raised it was at the other end: Iarla Tannian drove in, Joe Canning won possession and a clever over-the-shoulder pass sent Davy Glennon away. The young Mullagh man raced clear and duly planted the sliotar in the Cork net for a 1-3 to 0-4 lead. Cyril Donnellan, who had replaced Niall Healy at the start, landed a lovely score from out on the right wing and Joe Canning with a brace of frees, one from far out, pushed the opening period tally up to 1-6. The Rebels, however, were looking sharp and points from Lorcan McLoughlin, William Egan and Luke Oâ€â„¢Farrell kept them well in contention and they were given a real boost when goalkeeper Anthony Nash went up-field and blasted a penalty to the Galway net. A one-point advantage was a precarious lead given the wind that would be assisting the Connacht men after the interval and Cork must have been a bit anxious when Joe Canning floated a monster of a sideline cut between the posts within two minutes of the resumption. Conor Lehane and Lorcan McLoughlin were quickly on target though, to ease their fears, but Galway enjoyed a good spell that saw Cyril Donnellan land a point and the Padraig Pearseâ€â„¢s star then netted a well taken goal after taking a Davy Glennon delivery. Those crucial scores sandwiched a wonderful Joe Canning point from play, hit from deep in his own defence. The home team was then four clear, 2-10 to 1-9, entering the final quarter but Cork were far from finished. Cian McCarthy (free) and Stephen Moylan pointed but so did Canning from a left wing placed ball â€â€ he also missed a couple from distance â€â€ but an equaliser followed when McCarthyâ€â„¢s brilliant cross was swept home by Paudie Oâ€â„¢Sullivan. Another free by Joe Canning sailed over to give Galway the advantage but Cork battled on gamely and they got a hard earned levelling score when Cian McCarthy converted a late free. On the balance of play it was hard to begrudge them that but Galway will be frustrated at failing to power on when everything seemed to be in their favour. Galway: C. Callanan; F. Moore, K. Hynes, N. Donohue; A. Harte, D. Collins, J. Coen; I. Tannian, A. Smith; J. Cooney, J. Glynn, C. Donnellan (1-2); D. Hayes, J. Canning (0-10, five frees, one sideline cut, one 65), D. Glennon (1-0).  Subs: T. Haran for Glennon (65 mins), B. Flaherty for Smith (68 mins). Cork: A. Nash (1-0, pen.), S. Oâ€â„¢Neill, B. Murphy, C. Oâ€â„¢Sullivan; T. Kenny, C. Joyce, W. Egan (0-1); L. McLoughlin (0-3), P. Cronin (0-1); C. Lehane (0-1), P. Oâ€â„¢Sullivan (1-1), S. Harnedy; A. Mannix, L. Oâ€â„¢Farrell (0-1), P. Horgan (0-1). Subs: C. McCarthy (0-2, frees) for Harnedy (h.t.), M. Cussen for Horgan (45 mins), S. Moylan (0-1) for Mannix (53 mins), F. Oâ€â„¢Leary for Lehane (62 mins), S. White for Egan (inj., 65 mins). Referee: James Owens (Wexford). Herald Sport Man of the Match: Joe Canning (Galway).