1. Galway end their quarter-final hoodoo
So Galway’s hurlers now have a legitimate reason to skip the races in Ballybrit this week.
Eight times over the past decade their campaigns have ground to a halt in July with the exception of the 2005 and 2012 seasons where they journeyed to All-Ireland finals. It’s ten years since they won a quarter-final tie but they finally managed to correct that blemish today.
They did it in style too, banishing some of the doubts that hover over them by seeing off Cork by 13 points, and also claiming glory at a Thurles venue where they have floundered over the years.
2. That Johnny Glynn wonder goal
There’ll be plenty attention on Johnny Glynn after his colourful post-match interview but he made a similarly explosive contribution during the match. Glynn’s blend of raw physique and power was too much for Cork to handle and adorned his showing with that marvellous goal inside the opening minute.
Glynn’s direct running and strength carried him clear before an audacious scoop over Mark Ellis, and he had the composure to then finish to the net.
It evoked memories of another daring Galway score when Kevin Broderick pointed in the 2001 All-Ireland semi-final against Kilkenny, and Glynn’s goal will be fondly recalled as well by Tribesmen fans.
3. Pain for Cork at the back again
Scan back over Cork’s recent championship encounters and there’s a disconcerting trend concerning the scoring totals they have conceded. 0-24, 1-19, 5-16 and 0-25 were posted against them in the 2013 championship, followed by 2-18, 0-24, 1-21 and 2-18 totals last year.
This year saw Waterford strike 3-19 in the Munster semi-final before Cork showed signs of improvement at the back against Wexford and Clare in cutting down the space afforded to opposition attacks.
Yet today again they faced a forward line that cut loose against them. Galway amassed 2-28 while also shooting 23 wides. 53 scoring chances is an incredible total and having shipped 1-15 in the first-half alone, Cork’s defensive difficulties placed them in trouble.
4. Galway’s array of attacking options help them recover
Not every provincial finalist can recover on the national stage but Galway certainly bounced back today from their loss to Kilkenny. They hit the ground running from the start and did plenty to erase the perception they are dependent on Joe Canning.
The Portumna maestro had an off day in front of goal as hit eight wides but still contributed 0-5. Galway had plenty others to pick up the slack with 11 different players posting on the scoreboard and Cathal Mannion standing out as he fired 0-7 from play.
5. Cork come unstuck after qualifier progress
In recent weeks Cork looked to have made major strides. They’d tailored a defensive system to suit them, seen confidence levels soar with wins over Wexford and Clare while flushing the toxins of two high-profile losses to Waterford out of their system.
But they came unstuck today and couldn’t fashion a third win on the bounce. It ended up as a chastening experience in the closing stages for the fourteen Cork men on the pitch.
For the second year in a row, Cork’s season has ended with a double-digit defeat, 13 points the margin on this occasion against Galway after last year’s 10 point reversal to Tipperary.
The challenge to bring the Liam MacCarthy Cup back to Leeside looks considerable once more.
