All-Ireland SFC semi-final: Galway 1-14 Donegal 0-15 Another thrilling semi-final, a huge crowd of 67,002 to witness it, one novelty All-Ireland final between Galway and Armagh; summer has finally arrived. In the end, Pádraic Joyce’s five years with Galway helped him see off a Donegal side who are in year one. True this is a comeback for Jim McGuinness, but it is still a different team starting from a lower base.
A deeper squad and much-needed composure down the stretch was the ultimate difference. It started with a sombre note for the Tribesmen. Croke Park aired a touching tribute to two-time All-Ireland-winning manager John O’Mahony.
Galway’s players formed a V during that montage, to symbolise ‘vanguard,’ a nod to one of Gaelic football’s great innovators. The 26-man panel and backroom team subsequently came together for the national anthem. They started brightly too, landing the opening two scores of the tie through eventual Man of the Match Dylan McHugh and Robert Finnerty.
Shane Walsh’s sole point from play came midway through the half. A long ball towards Damien Comer was well-gathered by Finnerty who popped it back outside for a routine score. The fact that Galway successfully navigated this fixture despite Comer being held scoreless by the outstanding Brendan McCole and Walsh’s one effort is impressive.
To do it without captain Sean Kelly, replaced by Cein D’Arcy before throw-in, is awesome. Quarter-final substitute Cian Hernon also missed out aft.