Hurlers weather the storm

Hurlers weather the first storm

The county hurlers got off to a positive, winning start

Feature
Mike Finnerty

IT was the kind of day you wouldn’t put a dog out in. Ironically, one spectator did. The dog howled. So did the wind. And the rain fell in sheets. As beginnings go to seasons last Saturday in Dangan was as bleak and as miserable as you could ask for.
It seemed an unfortunate setting for Pete Finnerty’s first game with his adopted county. In case you weren’t paying attention, the former Galway All-Ireland winning wing-back has joined the Mayo coaching staff this year.
By all accounts he has immersed himself in his new role and so it was no surprise that he was very much the centre of attention throughout a game that was played far from the madding crowds.
In fact, at five minutes to two there wasn’t a soul to be seen on the pitch and only a handful of people huddled together under the trees that serve as a boundary wall at the NUI, Galway sports grounds.
Then a trickle of players appeared. Mayo hurlers skipped and jogged into view and within minutes they had shorn their tracksuits and were ready for battle. Ray McNamara supervised the warm-up before Martin Brennan and Pete Finnerty had some final words.
The game itself was indicative of the conditions and the time of year. NUI, Galway gave almost a dozen players the opportunity to impress ahead of the Fitzgibbon Cup and they hurled like men trying to catch the eye.
With the strong wind and rain at their backs they were 2-7 to 0-8 in front by half-time. Their big full-forward Kevin Keehan rose above Aidan Connolly twice to hit goals in the 21st and 24th minutes and Donegal’s Danny Cullen drilled five points frees. It was simple and effective hurling.
When Keehan’s second goal flew past Micheál Walsh, Mayo had fallen eight points behind. And for all their effort and industry they were unable to make any significant headway into the teeth of the elements. Apart from a couple of well-taken scores from Eoin Madigan (2) and Pierce Higgins there was little for Brennan and Finnerty to shout about.
Their team were only getting started though as men like Shane Morley, Paddy Barrett, Derek McConn and the Higgins brothers took their cue from NUI, Galway’s second goal. A string of inspirational points from Stephen Broderick, Eoin Madigan and Niall Murphy pared back the deficit and meant Mayo’s half-time huddle was definitely more upbeat.
The second half performance is something that will sustain Mayo’s management during the difficult days that probably lie ahead. Their team produced thirty minutes of committed, largely controlled hurling that ultimately won them the game.
They scored seven points, conceded nothing, and finished like a team that have worked hard on the training ground in recent weeks. Pete Finnerty paced the line, shouting encouragement, and praising the work-rate of individuals. His arrival has most certainly added some substance to Mayo’s style.
Niall Murphy clipped a point to begin the revival and four frees in succession from the unerring Adrian Freeman had the sides level by the 50th minute. Mayo’s defence had battened down the hatches and the wind carried the sliothar deep into enemy territory time and again. NUI, Galway were under siege and didn’t seem to like it.
The inevitable lead score came from a likely source. Eighteen-year-old Eoin Madigan is a strapping centre-half forward and his fourth point from play nudged Mayo in front for the first time. The lead was doubled by a 65 yard free from Keith Higgins and the die was cast.
Pete Finnerty cajoled and praised the Mayo players towards the finish line. “You have to work”, “Stay with him” and “Well done” were three phrases he used relentlessly. And when the final whistle blew he allowed himself a smile.
If there was a scoreboard it would have read: Mayo 0-15, Galway 2-7. Every team has to start somewhere and Mayo are up and running. Where they go from here is the next question.
Next weekend’s semi-final against GMIT in Ballyheane (2pm) should provide some answers.

MAYO
M Walsh; S Coyne, A Connolly, S Morley; P Hunt, P Barrett, C Ryan; S Broderick (0-1), D McConn; K Higgins (0-1, 1f), E Madigan (0-4), N Murphy (0-2); C Hynes, P Higgins (0-1), A Freeman (0-6, 6fs).

NUI, GALWAY
G Corcoran; S Stack, M O’Donnell, D O’Donoghue; F O’Reilly, M O’Meara, N Keane; S Kelly, D O’Flynn (0-1); K Heagney, N Killeen, D Cullen (0-5, 4fs); S Ward, K Keehan (2-0), D Morey (0-1). Subs used: T Liddy for Ward; T Gilmore for Stack; J Troy for Morey.

Referee: A Kelly (Roscommon)