Galway Back On Track After Win Over Offaly

Allianz GAA Hurling National League:
Galway 1-22 Offaly 1-18

Galway returned to winning ways in the Allianz GAA Hurling National League on Saturday, beating Offaly by 1-22 to 1-18 at Pearse Stadium.

Having imploded worryingly in the second half against Tipperary last Sunday, Galway manager John McIntyre will be a much happier man after his side gave a much improved defensive display to secure their third win of the campaign.

However, the Galway men led by nine clear points at the start of the second half and looked to be cruising when they allowed Offaly back into the game, with substitute Shane Dooley grabbing their goal in the 54th minute.

In the end the home side held on for a four-point win, but they had goalkeeper Colm Callanan to thank for a string of fine saves as Offaly went in search of goals in the final minutes.

Galway led 1-13 to 0-8 at the break thanks to some superb long-range free-taking from Ger Farragher, while an Aidan Harte goal after 11 minutes cancelled out Offaly's impressive start to the game.

Harte found the back of the net in the after racing clear of the Offaly defence and rifling the ball past Brian Mullins.

That goal gave the Tribesmen a 1-3 to 0-3 lead while Farragher ensured Joe Canning was not as keenly missed as he might have been by slotting over a superb sideline cut that the Portumna man would have been proud of.

Galway were in the ascendency and led by 1-8 to 0-7 by the 28th minute, Offaly keeping in touch with scores from Derek Morkan, Conor Mahon and David Burke.

However, Galway hit four successive points to take control of the game just before the break, before Bergin stopped the rot with a fine score from full-forward.

Farragher, who had added a second sublime sideline cut, this time from 60 yards out, bagged the final score of the half as John McIntyre's men held a commanding eight-point lead at the break.

Galway extended their advantage to nine points in the first 15 minutes of the second half.

Offaly boss Joe Dooley attempted to reverse the trend by bringing on three substitutes, with Ger Healion, David Franks and Joe Brady all introduced.

Galway appeared to be cruising to victory, but Offaly staged a stirring comeback to set up a grandstand finish. Dooley and Bergin began to exert their influence and kept the Faithful men in touch in the third quarter.

Eanna Ryan, Niall Healy and David Burke all responded with scores for the home side, but Offaly really upped the ante in the 54th minute when Dooley cracked the ball past Colm Callanan in the Galway goal.

Bergin and Brady landed further scores and Galway were under serious pressure, but Callanan kept them on top with two very smart saves.

Offaly had reduced the gap to just four points with two minutes left on the clock when Bergin streaked clear of the Galway defence but saw his thunderbolt once again saved expertly by Callanan. Bergin then went for goal from a close in free, but Callanan was once again on hand to clear the danger.

Niall Healy relived the pressure on the home side with a late score before Brian Carroll grabbed one back at the death for Offaly.