Last year's All-Ireland finalists Galway didn’t have things all their own way in this entertaining Connacht SFC quarter-final at Gaelic Park, but second half goals from Matthew Tierney and Cian Hernon helped to break the homeside’s resistance and propelled the Tribesmen into a provincial semi-final in two weeks’ time.
The defending Connacht champions, who are chasing an historic fourth title in a row this season, overpowered the Exiles in the second half by 2-16 to 0-8, but New York gave as good as they got in the opening period.
In fact, Galway only led at half-time by 1-12 to 0-12 thanks to Matthew Tierney’s fifth minute goal as New York stayed in contention thanks to a couple of superbly-struck two point frees from Frank O’Reilly and a stunning two point effort from play from James Walsh.
The Tribesmen, in contrast, struggled to get their attack firing in the absence of the likes of Shane Walsh and Damien Comer, who weren’t included in the match-day squad.
The pick of Galway’s scores in that opening period came from Finnian Ó Laoi, Kieran Molloy, Daniel O’Flaherty (2) and debutant Matthew Thompson.
New York manager Ronan McGinley had picked an athletic team with the likes of Cian O’Dea, Rob Wharton and Donal Hunt driving into the Galway half, and setting up scoring chances for lively forwards Jack Robinson and Bobby O’Regan.
Galway’s cause wasn’t helped either in that opening half by an ankle injury to All Star midfielder, John Maher, that forced him off.
However, Padraic Joyce’s side upped the ante in the second half with a goal from Cian Hernon on 53 minutes helping to break New York’s spirited resistance, and leaving eight points between the teams.
Tierney’s second goal seven minutes later ended the game as a contest as Galway freewheeled home and the likes of Cillian McDaid, substitute Liam Ó Conghaile (2), Paul Conroy (with a two-point effort from a free) and goalkeeper Conor Flaherty (who nailed a two-pointer with the last kick of the game) all on target.
A capacity crowd turned out to watch the Tribesmen’s first championship fixture in New York since 2015, and the Westerners eventually took care of business in style.Padraic Joyce sent out eight of the side that started last July’s All-Ireland Final, with Shane Walsh, Damien Comer, Liam Silke and Dylan McHugh among the absentees.
New York were competitive for long spells of an entertaining contest with Kildare native Jack Robinson catching the eye up front, shooting five points from play.
Former Clare defender Cian O’Dea, Donal Hunt and Kieran Murphy from Kerry, and place-kicker Frank O’Reilly also stood out at times.Goalkeeper Joey Grace also produced a couple of fine saves and the homeside will take great heart from this effort ahead of their next championship outing.
Galway will now meet Roscommon in the provincial semi-final in two weeks’ time while New York’s attention will turn to the Tailteann Cup.
New York: J Grace; C O'Dea (0-1), S Wilson, N Hatton; D Hunt, R Wharton, J Walsh (0-2, tp); E McElligot, K Murphy (0-1); T Mathers, F O’Reilly (0-7, 3tpfs, 1f), S Brosnan; J Robinson (0-5), A Loughlin Stones, B O’Regan (0-4, 2fs, 1tpf).
Subs used: T O’Riordan for Hatton (44); M Argue for Mathers (53); K Butler for O’Loughlin Stones (44); M Queenan for Hunt (62); M McCarthy for Walsh (62).
Galway: C Flaherty (0-2, tp); J McGrath, S Fitzgerald, J Glynn; K Molloy (0-1), S Kelly (0-2), C Hernon (1-0); M Tierney (2-4, 1f, 1 tpf), J Maher (0-1); M Thompson (0-3), C McDaid (0-1), D O’Flaherty (0-2); Brian Mannion (0-1), R Finnerty (0-6, 3fs), F Ó Laoi (0-1).
Subs used: P Conroy (0-2, tpf) for Maher (22, inj); C Sweeney for Ó Laoi (42); C Darcy for Mannion (42); L Ó Conghaile (0-2) for O’Flaherty; P Egan for Molloy (60);
Referee: J McQuillan (Cavan)
