Alarm bells ringing for Galway hurlers

WHAT did Galway learn about themselves in Mullingar? First and foremost, that they're still not playing well as a team, and that despite beating the two National League finalists, Dublin and Kilkenny, in the Spring, we're still waiting for a dynamic display to match the first 55 minutes of last year's All-Ireland quarter-final against Tipperary at Croke Park. It's got to come soon, for even if they fall over the winning line against Dublin it would surely be a bigger 'ask' in the Leinster final, almost certainly against Kilkenny. Secondly, individual excellence has dropped to very worrying levels. Perhaps injuries have done more damage to David Collins' highly skilful, flamboyant, super-confident play out of defence than even his greatest admirers feared, but against Westmeath he looked a shadow of his dashing, younger self or maybe he just hated playing at full-back! Shane Kavanagh is likely to be given the No. 3 jersey the next day. At right full-back Damien Joyce is rising most admirably to the responsibility that comes with the captaincy, and in the other corner it's hugely gratifying to see the classy Fergal Moore back from injury. James Skehill will be fine in goal, with Colm Callanan a very good option, so in general while there's a tightening-up required at the back, Shane Kavanagh's return should make Nos. 1 to 4 much more secure, although I may be thinking that more in hope than in confidence. John Lee was uncharacteristically loose, strangely low-key in his performance in Mullingar; it was not a surprise that the sturdy Tony Óg Regan, kept on standby for the Westmeath game, was sent on when the wheels of Galway's wagon wobbled for a while midway through the second half. Indeed, all three in the half-back line would've been disappointed with their displays, for wing-backs Johnny Coen, a newcomer to this level, and the more experienced Adrian Cullinane were lacking in authority facing the ball, and dealing with it. Similarly, Kevin Hynes didn't manage to assert himself in midfield. As a successful U-21 captain a few years ago, the Sarsfields lad looked like he could be, in time, a new Michael Coleman, a tough, hard, fearless midfielder. To his credit, he is most of those things, but a younger man, David Burke from St Thomas's, is more likely â€â€ of the two midfielders selected to play against Westmeath â€â€ to be an automatic choice for Tullamore. Up front, there will be no worries about Damien Hayes (as long as his two bad knees don't give way) and Joe Canning's return is eagerly awaited, and vital, which is stating the obvious, but there's no other way of looking at the problems in the Galway attack. Ultimately, as we saw in the Kilkenny-Tipperary September classics of 2009 and 2010, it's goals, and great forwards, that win All-Ireland hurling finals: the Henry Shefflins and the Lar Corbetts. Think back to the forwards available to Cyril Farrell, Phelim Murphy and Bernie O'Connor when they were putting together the last team to bring the MacCarthy Cup across the River Shannon. Legendary names: Cooney, 'Hopper,' Lynskey, Naughton, Ryan, Cunningham, Lane, Molloy. Last year and this year? Cyril Donnellan to win the hard ball; Damien Hayes and Joe Canning to do the rest. Three men to do the work of six. The others will have to 'up' it hugely. Surely they can do much more? They do it regularly for their clubs; they've done it in Minor and U-21 Championship hurling for Galway. Now let them throw off the shackles and do it against Dublin â€â€ there could be a new Galway attack hiding in there; let it all out! Finally, a word of praise for Brian Hanley. The big Athenry man took over the Westmeath team when they were at the lowest of the low. He's helped them to restore their pride and regain their confidence, and their love of hurling. They got a great reception from their own supporters at Cusack Park last Saturday evening, and it was great to see it. Brian Hanley is a realist, though; he's already said this grand display won't count for anything if the Westmeath panel don't stick together and 'kick on from here,' as Brian put it. But his team will lack strength-in-depth from here on â€â€ centre half-forward Paul Greville, who hit the best goal of the game last Saturday evening, is emigrating, perhaps as early as this week. Galway: J. Skehill; D. Joyce, captain, D. Collins, F. Moore; J. Coen, J. Lee, A. Cullinane; D. Burke (0-3, one free), K. Hynes; B. Daly (0-1), C. Donnellan (3-1), A. Smith (0-1); D. Hayes (0-4), J. Gantley (0-2), A. Callanan (1-1). Subs., E. Ryan (0-1), for Smith, 46 mins; S. Kavanagh, for Cullinane, 51 mins; T. Regan, for Lee, 54 mins; J. Canning (0-3, all frees), for Callanan, 56 mins. Westmeath: C. Scally; C. Flanagan, D. McCormack, A. McGrath; E. Price (0-1), A. Mitchell (0-1, a 65), P. Gilsenan; N. Flanagan, B. Smyth, captain (0-1); C. Curley (0-1), P. Greville (1-1), B. Murtagh (0-5, all frees); J. Shaw (0-1), D. McNicholas (1-0), D. Carty (0-2). Subs., A. Price, for C. Flanagan, 34 mins; P. Dowdall (0-1), for N. Flanagan, 51 mins; J. Gilligan, for McGrath, 60 mins; A. Dermody, for Carty, 64 mins; A. Craig, for McNicholas, 70 mins. Referee: Anthony Stapleton (Laois). Herald Sport Man of the Match: Cyril Donnellan (Galway).