Leinster Senior Hurling Championship

GALWAY 5-18 OFFALY 2-15

By Cian O'Connell at Bord Na Mona O’Connor Park

Ultimately this was a tale of Offaly’s passion against Galway’s power. The reigning Leinster and All Ireland champions did what was required to leave Tullamore with two Leinster Championship points in the account.

The Faithful County were gutsy throughout this contest, but Galway just had sufficient attacking punch to clip 5-18 from 37 attempts. Offaly custodian Eoghan Cahill also made a string of fine saves for the home team, who showed plenty of defiance, but Galway were in control.

Galway commenced brightly with debutant Brian Concannon bundling an opportunistic fifth minute goal following Conor Cooney’s initial attempt.

Micheal Donoghue’s charges led 1-3 to 0-2 when a Ben Conneely foul on Conor Whelan led to a penalty with Joe Canning’s subsequent effort extracting a save from Eoghan Cahill in the 10th minute.

Within seconds Offaly planted a goal of their own when Oisin Kelly’s clever hand pass released Shane Dooley, who made the Galway net dance.

Suddenly the locals were emboldened, but at the opposite end Joe Cooney was in splendid form, craving involvement, while also nailing important scores.

Cooney had four half points registered as Galway edged 1-8 to 1-7 ahead with half-time looming when the visitors landed an important blow.

It owed much to the industry of Conor Whelan, who crafted sufficient space for Cooney, who embellished a dynamic opening period contribution with a goal.

Cathal Mannion added a further score as Galway departed at the interval armed with a 2-9 to 1-7 advantage.

In the 44th minute Galway added a third goal as Concannon finished smartly following a thoughtful pass from the willing Whelan, who had gathered a David Burke delivery.

That put Galway 3-11 to 1-8 clear, but Offaly continued to probe and persevere with Joe Bergin plundering a goal to cut the deficit

A Dan Currams point had the gap down to 3-12 to 2-10 with goal opportunities continuing to be crafted by the two teams.

Fittingly Whelan, who had supplied so many assists for scores, batted a fourth Galway goal with 10 minutes remaining as the standard bearers closed out the deal with the minimum of fuss. Substitute Jason Flynn struck a fifth Galway goal deep into stoppage time.

Next on the agenda for Galway is Kilkenny, who visit Salthill in a fortnight. That promises to be a revealing affair in Pearse Stadium. Before then, though, Offaly face the Cats as important games arrive thick and fast.

**Scorers for Galway: **Joe Canning 0-8 (6fs, 165), Joseph Cooney 1-4, Brian Concannon 2-1, Conor Whelan 1-1, Jason Flynn 1-0, Conor Cooney 0-2, Cathal Mannion and Sean Loftus 0-1 each.

Scorers for Offaly: Shane Dooley 1-9 (8fs), Joe Bergin 1-1, David King 0-2, Dan Currams, Shane Kinsella,and Eoghan Cahill (f) 0-1 each.

GALWAY: James Skehill; Adrian Tuohy, Daithi Burke, John Hanbury; Padraig Mannion, Gearoid McInerney, Aidan Harte; Johnny Coen, David Burke; Joe Canning, Cathal Mannion, Joseph Cooney; Conor Whelan, Conor Cooney, Brian Concannon.

Subs: Sean Loftus for Coen (58), Jason Flynn for Conor Cooney (58), Niall Burke for Cathal Mannion (63), Ronan Burke for Harte (65), Jonathan Glynn for Canning (66).

OFFALY: Eoghan Cahill; Tom Spain, Sean Gardiner, Ben Conneely; Damien Egan, Pat Camon, Brendan Murphy; David King, Shane Kinsella; Oisin Kelly, Joe Bergin, Conor Mahon; Shane Dooley, Dan Currams, Colin Egan.

Subs: Cillian Kiely for Mahon (52), Sean Ryan for Murphy (58), Paddy Murphy for Colin Egan (60), Tommy Geraghty for Currams (62), Paddy Rigney for Spain (68).

REFEREE: Johnny Murphy (Limerick).