THE GALWAY HURLERS have come in for some sharp criticism today in the wake of yesterday’s Leinster final loss.

Following the player-driven upheaval that resulted in Anthony Cunningham’s departure as manager last winter, Galway faced into the 2016 season under pressure to perform.

But they suffered defeat to Kilkenny yesterday in a similar manner to last year’s All-Ireland final against the Cats.

And the Galway players have been in the firing line in the wake of that game from several well-known pundits.

Michael Duignan -

The Marty Squad, RTÉ Radio 1

The players went out with the very same attitude, they thought it was just going to happen for them in the second half. It’s a 70 minute game and they didn’t do it. So I think the Galway players would want to have a good hard look at themselves.They got rid of Anthony Cunningham, who’s a very decent man and has given an awful lot to Galway hurling over the years, and he was thrown to one side by this panel of players.I think that was very wrong at the time, I said it. I think the point is proven well today that these players haven’t changed.

The Galway players are not being honest to themselves and they’re not being honest to their supporters by playing in that way. They have too much talent to be just giving up in matches.”

Anthony Daly -

The Irish Examiner

The same players who voted for change and a new way forward after last year’s final didn’t take those steps forward. When Kilkenny upped their intensity and workrate in the second-half, Galway couldn’t live with it.

The same guys who didn’t do it last year, especially. Some of the ringleaders that got Anthony Cunningham out, couldn’t get it done again yesterday.”

Ger Loughnane -

The Star

After the stance they took against Anthony Cunningham, this was the day when Galway had to stand up and be counted.Otherwise, they’d rightly be regarded as a laughing stock.

This defeat showed they are made of absolutely nothing. You can forget about this Galway team – they have no guts whatsoever!

Galway are always looking for a crutch. There’s always someone or something to blame.”

David Herity -

The Marty Squad, RTÉ Radio 1

Brian Cody has now faced up against seven Galway managers in his time. At some stage, you’re going to have to look back at the actual players and go, ye who have to stand up for once.”

Is the criticism of the Galway players valid or over the top?

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