Hoho hurling.
All-Ireland champions Galway are only back from a celebratory team holiday. They’ve had no pre-season games whatsoever.
Manager Michael Donoghue admitted this morning that his Tribe are at least 7 or 8 weeks behind the majority of other hurling teams in the country in terms of the work they’ve done up to his point.
It can take a while for winning teams to get back into the swing of things the following season, and they often need a wake-up call. By Jesus, Galway got their wake-up call this morning.
Their wake-up call came all the way down from Antrim.
Well done @AontroimGAA
Mighty effort against all Ireland champions @Galway_GAA
good luck for the rest of the season @Galway_GAA pic.twitter.com/qTzHlsLAz7
— Antrim GAA (@AontroimGAA) January 28, 2018
But still, this is about Antrim. This is all about the Saffron county.
Even though they didn’t get off to a flier, they stayed plugging away in Pearse Stadium. Galway were quick blowing off the cobwebs, and raced into a 0-6 to 0-2 lead after 15 minutes of the action.
Galway versus Antrim is underway at Pearse Stadium, they compete in the Allianz Hurling League Division 1B #GAA pic.twitter.com/1NBZixaeAg
— sportsfile (@sportsfile) January 28, 2018
It was a new look Galway side on show in their home pitch. Brian Concannon made his debut in maroon, as did Gort’s Jack Grealish and Portumna’s Martin Dolphin alongside six of last year’s side that started the final.
Conor Cooney was striking well, and raised a couple of white flags early on. But then, then the Saffrons came. And when they came, they meant business.
Neil McManus picked off a long-range beauty. Conor McKinley dissected the posts soon after.
The Antrim army were up for a fight. They went into the half-time interval trialling by one. They came out in the second and made their mark.
Conor McCann’s goal gave them the initiative. And they seized it, and opened up a three point lead after 45 minutes of play.
Neil Mcmaus extends the lead to 2 @Neilmcmanus88 pic.twitter.com/UveaTg8ve3
— Antrim GAA (@AontroimGAA) January 28, 2018
They went up by three.
#AllianzLeagues
Galway 1:11(14)
Antrim 1:14(17)
Antrim leading by 3 points
16:37 First HalfNigel Elliott with a fine point
— Antrim GAA (@AontroimGAA) January 28, 2018
Antrim weren’t here to make up the numbers. They were getting excited.
Nigel Elliott points to put 3 in it #ExcitedFans pic.twitter.com/z83UrMjIVC
— Antrim GAA (@AontroimGAA) January 28, 2018
Galway, like true All-Ireland champions came back.
It went all the way down to the wire, with Galway leading by one deep in injury time. They kicked onto win by three on a scoreline of 1-19 to 1-16.
But fair dues to Antrim. They never took a backward stop.
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