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Shane O'Neill delighted with Galway's application

Galway manager Shane O'Neill pictured before Sunday's Allianz Hurling League encounter against Tipperary at Pearse Stadium.

Galway manager Shane O'Neill pictured before Sunday's Allianz Hurling League encounter against Tipperary at Pearse Stadium.

By Cian O'Connell

Galway's industry and intensity was showcased for a second Sunday in a row at Pearse Stadium, leaving manager Shane O'Neill content.

Stitching a team together with emerging and established players is the remit so O'Neill is encouraged by victories over Cork and Tipperary. A place in the quarter final of the Allianz Hurling League against Wexford has been secured.

Despite leaking three opening period goals, Galway, roared on by an enthusiastic home crowd, recovered impressively in Salthill.

"I wouldn’t say it was frustrating," O'Neill reflected on the fact that Galway trailed by 3-7 to 0-9 at the break. 

"These things can happen. I just felt that maybe we tuned out – two of the three goals came from long balls in. the first one was so early to concede. 

"The second one was a long high ball as well. The third one they worked really well but we probably tuned out – we allowed Cian Darcy to be free in the middle.

Shane O'Neill and John Fitzgerald pictured ahead of Sunday's Allianz Hurling League game against Tipperary at Pearse Stadium.

Shane O'Neill and John Fitzgerald pictured ahead of Sunday's Allianz Hurling League game against Tipperary at Pearse Stadium.

"We hadn’t picked him up for a period of about two minutes. Things happened very quickly. He was just loose outside and caused damage by scoring a point and setting up the goal."

After the restart, though, a pumped up Galway outfit delivered a dynamic display.

"We wouldn’t be worried about whether they could cope or not," O'Neill stated. "We have our own metrics that we want to hit from a work rate and intensity point of view and at the moment we’re getting there."

Conor Whelan's two goals proved critical, while Galway's willingness to work pleased O'Neill.

"In the half-back line I thought we were very strong in the second half, we brought a lot of ball down that we hadn’t caught," O'Neill added.

"Then in the second half, Conor’s goal was a superb catch. We were very competitive everywhere. Even in the 50-50 balls, we made it very hard for them to come out with them. So, overall, from a work rate point of view, delighted."