DISCUSSING THE GALWAY hurlers in his autobiography ‘Standing My Ground’, former Tipperary goalkeeper Brendan Cummins suggested that they were the type of team that wouldn’t win an All-Ireland – but had the potential to knock out a potential hopeful at some point in the competition.
Discussing Tipp’s one-point victory in the 2010 quarter-final, he wrote: “We’d finally beaten Galway, a team I rarely felt was good enough to win the All-Ireland but who could scupper your own ambitions.”
A look at the record books since Galway’s last Liam MacCarthy Cup success in 1988 seems to back up his point.
On Sunday, they almost scuppered Tipperary’s dreams of a first title since 2010 but fell by a point, the margin they won by in the corresponding fixture 12 months ago.
And so Galway’s senior famine will stretch into a 28th year, even though in that time they’ve won six U21 crowns and nine minor titles.
Brendan Cummins: 'Galway a team I rarely felt was good enough to win an All-Ireland but who could scupper your own ambitions'. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
In that time, no fewer than six Galway clubs have won the AIB All-Ireland senior crown and so on face value, it’s difficult to understand why the Tribesmen haven’t reached the Holy Grail.
Playing in the Leinster championship has certainly made them more competitive but a greater number of games has still not seen them manage to crack the All-Ireland senior code.
Of course, Galway and all other would-be contenders are operating in an era where Kilkenny have been the dominant force.
But Galway are a team that have traditionally troubled Brian Cody’s Cats – winning All-Ireland semi-finals in 2001 and 2005, and a 2012 Leinster final.
Galway also took Kilkenny to an All-Ireland final replay in 2012 but couldn’t seal the deal at the second attempt. No disgrace there, however, as Cody’s record in replays has just one blip – Dublin in 2013.
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Tipperary manager Michael Ryan (left) commiserates with his opposite number Micheál Donoghue. Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
After taking over following the player heave against Anthony Cunningham last year, Micheál Donoghue remained loyal to the core group of players that operated under the previous manager.
Over the winter months, he’ll think long and hard about the 30-plus players who will make up his squad in 2017.
The age profile of the starting 15 is relatively young but a number of squad members are the wrong side of 30.
Fergal Moore is 34 now, Andy Smith 33, David Collins and Iarla Tannian both 32 and Cyril Donnellan will turn 31 in October.
At 34 years of age, Fergal Moore is Galway's most experienced panellist. Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
Donoghue may have to sit down for some difficult conversations with experienced players in the coming weeks but his decision to retain them after last year was a noble gesture.
Operating in Division 1B of the Allianz League next year will allow Donoghue the flexibility and breathing space to put his own stamp on things.
Galway are in with Kerry, Laois, Limerick, Offaly and Wexford – and will be hot favourites to gain immediate promotion back to Division 1A.
Even though we’re months out, the clash with Limerick already looks like it will be a straight shoot-out for promotion and Donoghue will surely choose from a full deck for that one.
But the games against Kerry, Laois, Offaly and Wexford will afford him the leeway to experiment.
Waterford last year and Clare in 2016 both proved that playing Division 1B hurling isn’t a hindrance if you fancy your chances of winning the competition outright.
Clare won the Allianz League title outright this year despite starting the year in Division 1B. Ken Sutton / INPHO
Ken Sutton / INPHO / INPHO
And so Galway should comfortably advance from from their five group fixtures to play a quarter-final against top level opposition, and potentially a semi-final and final.
Plenty of eyes were trained on Galway this year as they operated in the top flight but far from the madding crowd, Donoghue can go about his business quietly.
Relegation from Division 1A this year had Galway behind the 8-ball to an extent ahead of the summer.
In many people’s eyes, it was their just desserts after the treatment dished out to Cunningham.
Former Galway manager Anthony Cunningham. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Those wounds still haven’t fully healed but time should soothe the scars and after a year getting his feet under the table, Donoghue will expect to realise Galway’s full potential in 2017.
Defensively, they’re quite solid and David Burke is surely a nailed-on All-Star after a terrific season at midfield.
But young guns Cathal Mannion and Conor Whelan lost some of their sparkle this summer and when he went off injured at half-time against Tipperary last Sunday, the old argument that Galway struggle without Joe Canning was given further nourishment.
The Westerners remain an enigma. A group of talented individuals who appear to still striving for a sense of identity and acceptance among their own people.
Only an All-Ireland senior title will satisfy the sceptics but after falling at the penultimate hurdle, Donoghue knows that they’re as far away as ever.
And yet the power for change remains very much in his hands. For now, the West’s asleep. Donoghue’s job is to ensure that in 12 months’ time, they’re very much awake and looking ahead to an All-Ireland final.
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Donoghue's loyalty to long-serving Galway hurlers set to come under the microscope
DISCUSSING THE GALWAY hurlers in his autobiography ‘Standing My Ground’, former Tipperary goalkeeper Brendan Cummins suggested that they were the type of team that wouldn’t win an All-Ireland – but had the potential to knock out a potential hopeful at some point in the competition.
Discussing Tipp’s one-point victory in the 2010 quarter-final, he wrote: “We’d finally beaten Galway, a team I rarely felt was good enough to win the All-Ireland but who could scupper your own ambitions.”
A look at the record books since Galway’s last Liam MacCarthy Cup success in 1988 seems to back up his point.
On Sunday, they almost scuppered Tipperary’s dreams of a first title since 2010 but fell by a point, the margin they won by in the corresponding fixture 12 months ago.
And so Galway’s senior famine will stretch into a 28th year, even though in that time they’ve won six U21 crowns and nine minor titles.
In that time, no fewer than six Galway clubs have won the AIB All-Ireland senior crown and so on face value, it’s difficult to understand why the Tribesmen haven’t reached the Holy Grail.
Playing in the Leinster championship has certainly made them more competitive but a greater number of games has still not seen them manage to crack the All-Ireland senior code.
Of course, Galway and all other would-be contenders are operating in an era where Kilkenny have been the dominant force.
But Galway are a team that have traditionally troubled Brian Cody’s Cats – winning All-Ireland semi-finals in 2001 and 2005, and a 2012 Leinster final.
Galway also took Kilkenny to an All-Ireland final replay in 2012 but couldn’t seal the deal at the second attempt. No disgrace there, however, as Cody’s record in replays has just one blip – Dublin in 2013.
After taking over following the player heave against Anthony Cunningham last year, Micheál Donoghue remained loyal to the core group of players that operated under the previous manager.
Over the winter months, he’ll think long and hard about the 30-plus players who will make up his squad in 2017.
The age profile of the starting 15 is relatively young but a number of squad members are the wrong side of 30.
Fergal Moore is 34 now, Andy Smith 33, David Collins and Iarla Tannian both 32 and Cyril Donnellan will turn 31 in October.
Donoghue may have to sit down for some difficult conversations with experienced players in the coming weeks but his decision to retain them after last year was a noble gesture.
Operating in Division 1B of the Allianz League next year will allow Donoghue the flexibility and breathing space to put his own stamp on things.
Even though we’re months out, the clash with Limerick already looks like it will be a straight shoot-out for promotion and Donoghue will surely choose from a full deck for that one.
But the games against Kerry, Laois, Offaly and Wexford will afford him the leeway to experiment.
Waterford last year and Clare in 2016 both proved that playing Division 1B hurling isn’t a hindrance if you fancy your chances of winning the competition outright.
And so Galway should comfortably advance from from their five group fixtures to play a quarter-final against top level opposition, and potentially a semi-final and final.
Plenty of eyes were trained on Galway this year as they operated in the top flight but far from the madding crowd, Donoghue can go about his business quietly.
Relegation from Division 1A this year had Galway behind the 8-ball to an extent ahead of the summer.
In many people’s eyes, it was their just desserts after the treatment dished out to Cunningham.
Those wounds still haven’t fully healed but time should soothe the scars and after a year getting his feet under the table, Donoghue will expect to realise Galway’s full potential in 2017.
Defensively, they’re quite solid and David Burke is surely a nailed-on All-Star after a terrific season at midfield.
But young guns Cathal Mannion and Conor Whelan lost some of their sparkle this summer and when he went off injured at half-time against Tipperary last Sunday, the old argument that Galway struggle without Joe Canning was given further nourishment.
Only an All-Ireland senior title will satisfy the sceptics but after falling at the penultimate hurdle, Donoghue knows that they’re as far away as ever.
And yet the power for change remains very much in his hands. For now, the West’s asleep. Donoghue’s job is to ensure that in 12 months’ time, they’re very much awake and looking ahead to an All-Ireland final.
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GAA Hurling Micheal Donoghue Galway Tribesmen