Hurlers can reach new heights
GREATNESS beckons for the Galway senior hurlers on Sunday afternoon when they square off against an up and coming, vibrant Limerick side in the All-Ireland final in an intriguing match-up that could turn out to be the cherry on top of what has been an incredibly entertaining and dramatic summer of inter-county hurling.
Former Clare and Galway manager Ger Loughnane often says of his legendary Clare team of the 90s that relief was the overriding emotion when their long famine was finally ended in 1995; that was also evident both on and off the pitch after Galway’s richly deserved success against Waterford last year. Loughnane also remarks, though, that his side could not be looked on as a truly great team until they had won a second title, which of course they did in 1997.
This Galway panel’s moment of destiny, their chance to enshrine their story in the game’s folklore, is now at hand, whether they appreciate it or are bothered by it. A chance to claim back-to-back titles for only the second ever time in the county’s history, mirroring the heroic efforts of their predecessors 30 years ago. To do it in this era would be an even greater accomplishment.
Former Clare and Galway manager Ger Loughnane often says of his legendary Clare team of the 90s that relief was the overriding emotion when their long famine was finally ended in 1995; that was also evident both on and off the pitch after Galway’s richly deserved success against Waterford last year. Loughnane also remarks, though, that his side could not be looked on as a truly great team until they had won a second title, which of course they did in 1997.
This Galway panel’s moment of destiny, their chance to enshrine their story in the game’s folklore, is now at hand, whether they appreciate it or are bothered by it. A chance to claim back-to-back titles for only the second ever time in the county’s history, mirroring the heroic efforts of their predecessors 30 years ago. To do it in this era would be an even greater accomplishment.