After defeats by Tipperary and Cork in their opening two games, Galway did what they had to do to record their first win in a Division 1 of the National Hurling League relegation shootout in Birr on Sunday afternoon.
It was a reasonable performance by Galway and their ability to get crucial scores every time Offaly breathed down their necks was the most impressive aspect of their performance.
A defeat would have been a disaster for them and they were full value for the win, though the final score line does not reflect the effort Offaly gave - Conor Whelan got 1-01 deep in injury time to extend Galway's winning margin into double digits.
Offaly would have taken a five or six point defeat but can still reflect on a positive, very honest performance as they continue to work hard. At the same time, their problems are fairly obvious and they aren’t scoring enough.
While they got 1-19 in a heavy defeat by Tipperary, they have been unable to breach the almost mandatory twenty point target in their four defeats to date and that is something most of the top hurling counties are doing almost as a matter of routine in the modern game.
The venue for the game was only finalised on Sunday morning when St Brendan’s Park in Birr was declared playable.
Having given Birr one league game this campaign, the Offaly County Board were certainly anxious that it proceed here and not have to move twenty miles down the road into Tullamore’s O’Connor Park.
It is doubtful if the venue had any bearing but Offaly were very keen to give a good account of themselves and they definitely did that with a really spirited display. They gave Galway loads of food for thought in a very competitive, enjoyable first half.
With Birr very convenient to Galway, the visitors brought a large crowd with them and it was very close the whole way through the first half before Galway got away for a 0-09 to 0-06 half time lead. Offaly started well and led by 0-03 to 0-01 after eight minutes thanks to points from Ter Guinan, Brian Duignan and Adam Screeney.
A Donal Shirley point put Offaly 0-05 to 0-04 up after 22 minutes but Galway got going after this. They began to open Offaly up, scoring five in a row, two points of them from Cathal Mannion, one free, as they led by 0-09 to 0-05 coming up to half time. An Adam Screeney free left Offaly three behind at the break and very much in the hunt.
Galway made a flying start to the second half with Cathal Mannion getting a goal and a point to put them 1-10 to 0-6 ahead after 37 minutes. Offaly responded well with points from Luke Watkins and Adam Screeney (free) but Galway were now playing very well. They were 1-13 to 0-8 ahead after 47 minutes, 1-18 to 0-12 clear with twelve minutes left and Offaly were sucking air.
The winners were 1-20 to 0-15 ahead with five minutes left and Offaly did well to reduce the gap to six points twice late on.
They had to get a goal but instead, Galway once again found an extra bit, scoring 1-02 in injury time for a fairly convincing win.
Offaly: Liam Hoare; Patrick Taaffe, Ben Conneely, Brecon Kavanagh; Donal Shirley (0-01), Killian Sampson, Jack Clancy (0-02); Cathal King, Ter Guinan (0-01); Oisin Kelly (0-01), Conor Doyle, Daniel Bourke; Eoghan Cahill, Brian Duignan (0-04), Adam Screeney (0-07, 5f).
Subs. David Nally for Cahill (17), Luke Watkins (0-01) for Doyle (35), Colin Spain (0-01) for King (56), Luke Nolan for Guinan (63), Ciaran Cleary for Kelly (67).
Galway: Stephen O'Halloran (0-01); Joshua Ryan, Daithi Burke, Ronan Glennon; Padraic Mannion, Cillian Travers (0-01), T.J. Brennan; Gavin Lee, Cian Daniels, Tom Monaghan (0-02), Cathal Mannion(1-09, 5f), Tiernan Killeen; Colm Molloy (0-03), Jason Rabbitte (0-03), Aaron Niland (0-03).
Subs. Cianan Fahy for Lee (24), Conor Whelan (1-01) for Niland (50), Sean Murphy for Ryan (53) Declan McLoughlin for Burke (65).
Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick)
