The men who broke the mould: Galway ended 57-year famine against Limerick

They hadn’t won an All-Ireland since their first in 1923 and tasted defeat in nine finals in the interim. But the long-suffering Tribesmen had their day when defeating Limerick to capture Liam MacCarthy for just the second time. Joe Connolly’s “People of Galway, we love you” in an unforgettable captain’s speech, Joe McDonagh’s rendition of ‘The West’s Awake’, and a rare outpouring of emotion all added to an iconic win. We reproduce The Tuam Herald’s coverage of that historic afternoon for Cyril Farrell’s side in 1980.

Galway 2-15

Limerick 3-9

By Jerome Reilly

At Croke Park

AT last the agony is over. Galway hurling heroes have emerged from the long, dark shadows of over five barren decades to capture the Liam MacCarthy Cup for only the second time with a scintillating display of hurling that first stunned and then bowled over Munster champions and favourites Limerick in the All-Ireland hurling final at Croke Park.

The hallowed sward of headquarters was so often the scene of heart-breaking disappointments for Galway's hurling faithful. But all those bitter memories were swept aside in glorious fashion when Joe Connolly's aces finally came up trumps when it mattered most - in the All-Ireland final.

Fifty-seven years is a long time to wait but victory was the sweeter for it. The tale of Galway's mammoth struggle for the ultimate reward finally reached the last chapter and the ending was an infinitely happy one.

They overcame the fatal flaw that has marked them as hurling's tragic heroes when they were so often cast as the gallant losers. There were moments of nerve tingling excitement right from the throw-in when Galway got off to the dream start so often the prerogative of Limerick.

Bernie Forde, ranging far on the right, collected a loose ball and powered his way towards the Limerick goal before kicking the ball past 'keeper Tommy Quaid. It was a tremendous morale booster for Galway and gave Limerick a warning of things to come from the Ardrahan man.

Soon Limerick were reeling from an attack on the other flank when PJ Molloy gathered, shrugged off the challenge of Donal Murray, rolled over from a trip, recovered and shot home from short range.

But western hearts were barely receding to a near normal beat when Eamonn Cregan, a constant thorn in the side of the Galway rearguard, neatly struck a high cross from Paudie Fitzmaurice past Michael Conneely for a goal.

Galway, playing with fire and tenacity seldom seen from the men in maroon, increased their lead but they had only an unflattering advantage of 2-7 to 1-5 at half-time.

After the break they failed to hammer home their advantage and suddenly Joe McKenna started to buzz up front for the Munster champions and after having two certain goals miraculously saved by Michael Conneely, he scored the third which put Limerick back in the game.

Galway remained unrattled and Bernie Forde, like a wizard, seemed to grow in stature as Limerick attacked. The Galway defence broke down Limerick onslaughts, turning the Munster raids into attacks of their own, and Forde had his eye in to score three glorious points to offset McKenna's goal.

Even when Cregan blasted home a penalty - a harsh decision by referee Noel O'Donoghue - for his second goal Galway remained unruffled and John Ryan scored a vital point after 69 minutes and though Eamonn Cregan had the last score the day was Galway's. The MacCarthy had, at long last, come west of the Shannon.

Galway were superior in every sector, much more than the three points winning margin suggests. The full-back and half-back lines kept all but Cregan scoreless in the Limerick attack. Up front all the Galway forwards scored except Frank Burke who was playing a deep role helping out midfield.

After the superb start given by Forde and Molloy, it was only a complete collapse that was going to deny Galway victory. Joe Connolly, an inspirational captain, knocked over a free before Cregan's goal.

Cregan converted a 55-yard free after 12 minutes and he was again on target when he sent Conor Hayes the wrong way and pointed from out left. Noel Lane cancelled that score with a glorious effort from a difficult angle and John Connolly added another point when he snapped up a loose ball from 45 yards.

Cregan was getting the better of Conor Hayes in the first half and after 25 minutes he knocked over his fourth score.

Again, Joe Connolly cancelled that from 30 yards and brother John scored a sweet point by working inside full-back Leonard Enright.

Brian Carroll replaced an out of touch Eamonn Flanagan, who hardly won a ball from Seán Silke, and scored a fine point, but in injury-time Noel Lane soloed down the left to slam over a point to leave the scores 2-7 to1-5 at the break.

After the resumption Joe Connolly had a point inside a minute but Limerick were coming more into the game and though Bernie Forde added two more points before the ninth minute, Galway did not score for the next ten minutes.

Hayes had now got the measure of Cregan but McKenna was proving a handful for Niall McInerney and broke through twice only to see his powerful shots saved by Conneely.

The big man got Limerick back into contention when he outfielded McInerney to drive the ball to the net from close range in the 17th minute. Cregan pointed a free and McKenna added another, but these only served to spur Galway to greater heights, and Forde scored the most vital points of the day in the 19th and 22nd minutes.

Courageous, wholehearted Limerick would not lie down. Cregan, who had earlier moved to full-forward with McKenna on the left, was fouled, although many would say he was well outside the square. He blasted home the resultant penalty, but PJ Molloy replied with a point and substitute John Ryan added another in the 28th minute that ensured a Galway triumph.

This was a truly great team performance. Michael Conneely was an inspiring goalkeeper and it was fitting that he should choose Sunday for his finest hour in view of the criticism levelled at him during recent weeks.

Conor Hayes and Niall McInerney were tight and dependable, and it was amazing that Hayes, who had not played a senior match since June, could perform so well.

Jimmy Cooney was simply brilliant and, in my opinion, was a worthy candidate for the man of the match with Conneely and Forde.

Seán Silke, Sylvie Linnane and Séamus Coen held their opponents scoreless while creating attacks along the flanks. Midfielders Steve Mahon and Michael Connolly had very steady games and always had the edge over Jimmy Carroll and David Punch,

Frank Burke, Joe Connolly and PJ Molloy always looked dangerous and their gritty, determined ground hurling paid dividends when the going got tough midway through the second half.

The full-forward line really clicked and the vintage displays of Lane and Forde in the corners will be remembered for a long time to come. John Connolly was a great target man and when he moved to midfield late in the game he bought on some mighty clearances and proved a steadying influence at a vital stage.

The substitutes, Finbarr Gantley and John Ryan also made a considerable impression.

In the final analysis, the extra edge in experience was vital in Galway's victory and a number of Limerick players were overawed by the occasion and this was compounded by the two quick Galway goals.

GALWAY: Michael Conneely; Conor Hayes, Niall McInerney, Jimmy Cooney; Sylvie Linnane, Seán Silke, Séamus Coen; Michael Connolly, Steve Mahon; Frank Burke, Joe Connolly (0-4), PJ Molloy (1-0); Bernie Forde (1-5), John Connolly, Noel Lane (0-3). Subs: Finbarr Gantley, for Michael Connolly; John Ryan (0-1), for PJ Molloy.

LIMERICK: Tommy Quaid; Donal Murray, Leonard Enright, Dom Punch; Liam O'Donoghue, Mossie Carroll, Seán Foley (captain); Jimmy Carroll, Dave Punch; Paudie Fitzmaurice, John Flanagan, Willie Fitzmaurice; Ollie O'Connor, Joe McKenna, Eamonn Cregan. Subs: P. Herbert, for Mossie Carroll; Brian Carroll, for John Flanagan; Eamonn Grimes, for Willie Fitzmaurice.

REFEREE: Noel O'Donoghue (Dublin).