GALWAY AN HOUR AWAY FROM A SECOND U-21 TITLE IN THREE YEARS

By BILLY COSS Galway ..2-10 Kildare ..2-5 WHETHER itâ€â„¢s down to the All-Ireland U-21 Championshipâ€â„¢s do-or die structure without any second chances or its intense, two-month â€Ëœwindowâ€â„¢ in the GAA calendar where momentum plays such a huge role, few competitions have matched its capacity to produce upsets in recent years. Saturday afternoon saw another in a long line of strongly-fancied favourites toppled in the grade after Galway built impressively on their Connacht success to defeat a Kildare team that paid the ultimate price for their abysmal finishing. These two countiesâ€â„¢ fortunes have become entangled in the All-Ireland series at U-21 and senior levels over the past couple of decades. And in front of 8,120 in Oâ€â„¢Connor Park, Tullamore, Galway capitalised on their opponentsâ€â„¢ failings in front of goal and showed plenty of grit and class of their own to continue the countyâ€â„¢s Championship hex over the Lilywhites and advance to a final meeting with Cork at the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick on Saturday week, May 4th (throw-in at 7.00 oâ€â„¢clock). With half-a-dozen U-21s starting their National League semi-final against Tyrone a week earlier, Kieran McGeeney has certainly given youth its fling this year and with so much senior experience on board, Kildare arrived as firm favourites. Seven of their line-up were 6 foot 3 inches or taller and it was expected theyâ€â„¢d hold an edge in the physical stakes but as the match unfolded it became clear that whatever Galway gave up in terms of height and physique, they more than made up for in natural ability. Quite simply, the better, more skilful all-round footballers won out on the day. While Kildareâ€â„¢s ability to squander chance after chance has understandably dominated the national headlines, the bottom line is that Galwayâ€â„¢s remarkable journey will extend into early May when theyâ€â„¢ll have a shot at claiming the countyâ€â„¢s fourth title in the grade since 2002 and fifth overall. Thereâ€â„¢s much to admire in how manager Alan Flynn, his backroom team of Paul Clancy, Declan Meehan, Alan Mulholland and Donál Ó Fátharta, and their 33-man panel have gone about their business over the past five weeks and while itâ€â„¢s undeniable that they enjoyed some good fortune at crucial stages along the way, theyâ€â„¢ve reached the All-Ireland final the tough way and captured the attention of the footballing public, inside and outside the county, with how theyâ€â„¢ve done it. They still have plenty of areas to improve on if theyâ€â„¢re to regain the Clarke Cup but they are entering the closing furlongs in decent shape and with no shortage of confidence and momentum. Cork will provide a formidable challenge in the decider. Semi-finals are for winning and in many ways the Rebel County are in a perfect position with huge scope for improvement after nervously overcoming Cavan in the second semi-final. Nobody in the Galway camp will need reminding of Corkâ€â„¢s remarkable comeback, overturning a nine-point deficit to win 3-15 to 5-8, when the counties met in the All-Ireland Minor semi-final three years ago. IN the end, this match boiled down to finishing: Kildare created almost twice as many scoring chances and controlled possession for long spells but they couldnâ€â„¢t make it tell on the scoreboard. By our count, they had 38 shots on goal. Their wides count reached 19 by the final whistle while a further dozen scoring attempts were either dropped short, denied by woodwork or blocked by Galway defenders. All in all, seven scores amounts to a dreadful return and it was going to prove costly. Kildareâ€â„¢s wastefulness in what could only be described as a â€Ëœshoot on sightâ€â„¢ policy spread like a virus and eight of their players were off target. As their wides tally mounted, their anxiety in front of goal increased and while most of the inaccuracy could be attributed to rank bad shooting, there was plenty of poor shot selection and low percentage efforts from distance in there as well, while Galway defenders must also take their share of credit for applying intense pressure on the kickers. Galway were more clever and measured in their approach and when they worked the ball into the scoring zone the difference between the teams in composure and finishing ability could hardly have been wider. Over the course of the hour, the winnersâ€â„¢ economy with chances was highlighted by the fact they hit a mere five wides and, of those, Shane Walshâ€â„¢s effort late in the first half appeared to have been incorrectly waved wide. Walshâ€â„¢s talent has been well sign-posted for some time now and the Kilkerrin-Clonberne forward finished with six points, including three from play, and he showed plenty of the pace, balance and classy finishing that mark him out among the most precocious talents in this competition. Seán Moran was outstanding, full of hard running and direct play at centre-forward and he chipped in with an invaluable 1-1, while Galwayâ€â„¢s two-man inside line of Ian Burke and Adrian Varley were also highly influential. Burkeâ€â„¢s fingerprints were on both goals and his pace and clever play proved too much for the Kildare rearguard to handle; while Varleyâ€â„¢s unselfishness and intelligence in bringing others into the game was once again a vital factor. After dominating the midfield sector throughout their Leinster campaign, Kildareâ€â„¢s duo of Seán Hurley and Tommy Moolick came in with glowing reputations but they found their match in Fiontán Ó Curraoin and Thomas Flynn who were starting alongside each other in the grade for the first time since the 2011 All-Ireland final. Kildare shaded the kick-out statistics overall but Galway won that facet of the game (14-10) in the opening half when they created much fewer chances but enough to open up a three-point interval lead, one they never gave up. Flynnâ€â„¢s recent return from a long-term knee injury has been a major boost for Galway and his superbly finished 11th minute goal, following excellent link-up play with Seán Moran and Ian Burke, gave the Tribesmen an early tonic. It came during a phase when Kildare enjoyed the lionâ€â„¢s share of possession and hammered away at Galwayâ€â„¢s defence without much reward on the scoreboard. Galway weathered that early onslaught but Kildare were soon level with a clinically taken goal from their perspective, self-inflicted from Galwayâ€â„¢s. A combination of a loose sideline ball by Galway and alert Kildare play ended with Daniel Flynn tying up the game, 1-1 apiece, on 15 minutes. By then, Kildare had already created a dozen scoring chances, spurning the vast majority. It was difficult to imagine that such wastefulness could possibly continue, yet it did as Galway held a 1-6 to 1-3 interval lead after playing with whatever advantage the tricky wind in Oâ€â„¢Connor Park offered. Shane Walsh struck three points of that total while scores also arrived from Damien Comer, a revelation in this campaign; Seán Moran and Ian Burke. Incredibly, Kildareâ€â„¢s horror show in front of the posts resumed after the break with Fionn Dowling, Paul Cribben and Tommy Moolick the biggest culprits. Galwayâ€â„¢s defence were also putting in a huge shift and the disciplined tackling and commitment shown in the face of such Kildare pressure was a standout feature of the match. No scores were conceded from placed balls and itâ€â„¢s difficult to recall any kickable frees being given away throughout the hour. There was plenty of unglamorous stuff, and also timely interceptions from the likes of James Shaughnessy, David Cunnane, Mark Loughnane and Paul Varley, while â€Ëœkeeper Tom Healy was excellent behind them. All that helped to contribute towards Galway maintaining their three-point lead, 1-8 to 1-5, entering the final quarter. While Kildare chances continued to come and go, Galway played some sparkling, direct football and they ran at the Lilywhitesâ€â„¢ rearguard at every opportunity. One such flowing move ended with Ian Burke taking on the Kildare defence and just as it seemed that a penalty would be awarded after he was hauled down, referee Barry Cassidy played an excellent advantage and the Corofin forward showed great presence of mind to provide the unmarked Seán Moran with a straightforward tap-in finish. Six points ahead, Galway looked in control at that point but a Seán Hurley goal with over 10 minutes remaining created the possibility of a grandstand finish. It was to prove the Lilywhitesâ€â„¢ final score however, as Galway rounded off a memorable win with late points from Shane Walsh and the impressive Cathal Mulryan to book their second All-Ireland final appearance in the grade in three years. Galway: T. Healy (Corofin); M. Loughnane (St Gabrielâ€â„¢s), J. Shaughnessy (Ballinasloe), D. Cunnane (St. Michaelâ€â„¢s); D. Burke (Corofin), P. Varley (Cortoon Shamrocks), G. Canavan (Salthill-Knocknacarra); T. Flynn (Athenry, 1-0), F. Ó Curraoin, captain (Mícheál Breathnachs); C. Mulryan (Cortoon Shamrocks, 0-1), S. Moran (Claregalway, 1-1), D. Comer (Annaghdown, 0-1); S. Walsh (Kilkerrin-Clonberne, 0-6, three frees), A. Varley (Cortoon Shamrocks), I. Burke (Corofin, 0-1). Subs., C. Rabbitte (Kilkerrin-Clonberne), for D. Burke, 41 mins; P. Ezergalis (Moycullen), for Cunnane, inj., 44 mins; L. Silke (Corofin), for Canavan, 52 mins; E. Commins (Claregalway), for Comer inj., 59 mins. Kildare: M. Donnellan; M. Konstantin, D. Hyland, S. Higgins; P. Cribbin (0-1), F. Conway, J. Byrne; T. Moolick, captain, S. Hurley (1-0); D. Flynn (1-1), N. Kelly (0-1), F. Dowling (0-1); P. Brophy, L. McGovern, P. Fogarty (0-1). Subs., H. Mahon, for Fogarty, 49 mins; T. Gibbons, for McGovern, 56 mins; G. Farrell, for Dowling, 56 mins. Referee: Barry Cassidy (Derry). Herald Sport Man of the Match: Seán Moran (Galway). â€Â¢ Second semi-final: Cork 0-15 Cavan 1-11.