Manner of hurlers’ defeat to Galway a cause of concern

By Kevin Egan

Offaly losing to Galway last Saturday evening was hardly a disaster, but to do so in that manner, feels like the undoing of a lot of good work this year.

When the team misfired for the best part of an hour in the league final against Waterford, the late rally that briefly turned it into a competitive game seemed to demonstrate that this young group had learned as they went along and that they would be a better team for the experience. What happened in Parnell Park reinforced that view.

That sense of positivity and possibility was reflected in a crowd of over 10,000 people turning up to Glenisk O’Connor Park, and when Killian Sampson fired in that early goal, the stage was set for a memorable evening where anything was possible.

Even after the concession of a self-inflicted blow in the form of Cathal Mannion’s first goal, Offaly responded well and Charlie Mitchell’s excellent score from the terrace-side sideline left just a point between the sides with 15 minutes played. So far, so good.

From then on, it was abject. Referee James Owens gave Offaly every help imaginable and while events in Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday opened up a debate about how a red card is now almost impossible to overcome, Offaly somehow scored just five second half points while hurling with an extra man against a side that came to Tullamore on the back of three consecutive 12-point defeats in competitive fixtures.

Mark Troy redeemed some costly puckouts with some fine saves, particularly a world-class stop to deny Mannion’s penalty. James Mahon made some good contributions after coming in, while Charlie Mitchell, Cathal King and Daniel Bourke all held their own physically, despite their youth. Outside of that, bright sparks were harder to find, and had Galway been more on song with their shooting, or indeed had any forward other that Mannion and debutant Colm Molloy played well, it could have been much worse.

Over the next week, a tricky balancing act is in store. Had Offaly hurled well but lost, it would be logical to conserve some energy in the next two games and make sure to be fully ready for what looks certain to be a season-defining game against Antrim. The Saffrons will no doubt have a cut off Dublin next weekend, but it’s a stonewall certainty that they will phone it in when they travel to Salthill a week before going to Tullamore. They know what game matters.

Because confidence in the Offaly camp will be rattled now, Johnny Kelly has to measure up the importance of managing player minutes, injury risk and exertion, with the need to get back some positive momentum.

Whatever about the game in Wexford, winning in Nowlan Park is almost certainly impossible, and it might be the case that there would be no tangible benefit to beating or drawing with Wexford, since it would still leave relegation on the table on the final day.

If Offaly can put in a handful of good 10 or 15 minute spells across these two games, or perhaps even stay with Kilkenny for 40 or 45 minutes, that might be all that is needed to ensure the group is ready to produce their best hurling when they get back to Tullamore.