GALWAY HURLERS HAVE received a timely boost with Joseph Cooney marking his return from Australia by turning in a superb performance for his club Sarsfields at the weekend.
Cooney only returned home a few days ago but lined out at full-forward for – against Kilnadeema-Leitrim.
And Cooney, who played hurling for the Michael Cusack’s club in Sydney since moving to Australia before Christmas, looked sharp throughout.
Indeed, it took him less than two minutes to rattle the net for a goal and he also picked off some excellent points in a top class display.
Cooney’s Sarsfields, who had opened their campaign with a win over neighbours Cappataggle, were made battle all the way to earn a 1-19 to 3-13 draw against a Kilnadeema-Leitrim side who hit back with goals Jack Kenny, Brian Molloy and Vinnie Kenny.
There was a further boost for the Galway management with Conor Cooney returning to action for St Thomas after suffering an ankle injury in their opening round loss to Liam Mellows.
Cooney was fit to start against Tommy Larkins as the reigning Galway champions sought to get the defence of their county title back on track.
And Cooney was to the fore along with Galway captain David Burke as they carved out a 2-15 to 1-8 win.
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Good piece and great to see him doing so well, Munster are certainly in the upper tier of teams in Europe and a real handful at home but the crunch needed against the power teams in a semi or final they are a bit away. This new setup will take time and will have its down days but with the right acquisitions and leadership they could be there in a couple of years.
@mrbryanrussell: What Munster have been missing from the past 8 years is what it is needed to win a Champions cup/ Heinekin Cup – a world class 7 and world class 10. Unfortunately Munster have have just a series of bad luck in this department – constant injuries to TOD, Bleyendaal and now Cloete and Carbery have knocked their season and when you’re relying on 2nd and 3rd choice players in these positions it is highly unlikely you will make it all the way to the final in May.
There’s always a reaction when Munster don’t do well, especially from certain quarters within and outside rugby who like to twist the knife when they get the opportunity.
However Munster are still not far off making a breakthrough but there are a few things needed for that to happen in my opinion.
The new coaching staff and shift in playing style needs to bed in.
We desperately need some players of the right quality to come through the academy. When I say “the right quality” I don’t mean simply international quality but players made out of the same stuff as Clohessy, Galway, Foley, Quinlan, Stringer, ROG etc.
Players who are 100% Munster and would see pulling on the red jersey (of Munster!!) as the greatest honour imaginable.
It might be a big ask now that we’re so removed from the amateur era but a couple of players like that would be gold dust.
We need to shift away from the notion that the HC is the only thing that matters. Too many times in recent years we’ve shot ourselves in the foot by putting ourselves in a poor position in the Pro14 by going after a European Cup we were never likely to win.
Build towards making ourselves as good as anyone in the league, win it and evolve from there.
We need to ensure that any players that are brought in from outside, either IQ or not, are of the required quality and willing to give 100% to Munster.
And probably above all else we need a bit of luck, especially with injuries.