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Dundrum Lift Connolly Cup -
23/07/2002
Galway 7-15
Down 0-13
Galway recorded their predictably easy victory over Down at Casement Park in a tepid All-Ireland SHC qualifier and at the same time laid down a marker for their anticipated potent challenge for the Liam McCarthy Cup this year.
The game assumed an all-too familiar look right from the off as Down were forced to play a rearguard action against the much more skilful and fitter westerners who dominated in almost every sector, laying down the foundations for their eventual 23 point winning margin with an impressive and totally convincing first half display at the end of which they led by 5-8 to 0-4.
Galway took their time in springing clear from the blocks but once centre-forward Mark Kerins fed Fergal Healy for Galway's opening major after just seven minutes, the writing was on the wall for the Ulstermen.
Although Down gave as good as they got for the opening quarter, they were left to rue a golden goal opportunity when Noel Sands gained possession on the edge of the square but turned away in frustration on seeing his low shot flash across the face of the goal before flying wide of the Galway goal.
Galway weren't so wasteful though and six minutes later they added to their opening goal with another similar score with this time David Tierney burying his penalty shot into the Down net after team-mate Ollie Fahy was fouled en route to goal.
It was one-way traffic at this juncture and a further Galway goal two minutes later by Alan Kerins who broke down the right wing before netting left Down trailing by 0-3 to 3-6 and in a hopeless situation.
Thereafter further goals by Fergal Healy and Mark Kerins compounded Down's difficulties. The Mourne county almost conceded another goal just prior to half-time but Graham Clarke pulled off a mighty reflex save.
To their credit, Down tried hard to eat into Galway's 5-8 to 0-4 interval lead as the second half got underway and inspired by Gary Savage at the heart of their defence pushed forward at every opportunity.
Sadly for the Ulstermen, in going forward they left opportunities galore for their opponents for forge even further ahead and although Down added on some fine points in the final ten minutes, their failure to breach Galway's backline to any major degree served to emphasise the difference in the cutting edge as sported by the respective line-outs.
Galway M Crimmins, D Joyce, M Healy, O Canning, D Hardiman, L Hodgins (0-1 free), D O’Brien, R Gantley (0-3 frees), R Murray, D Tierney (1-1, 1-0 free), M Kerins (1-1), A Kerins (1-1), D Hayes (0-2), O Fahy (1-4, 0-1 free), F Healy (3-2). Subs G Farragher for D Tierney, N Hayes for D Hayes, C Connelly for R Gantley, F Forde for A Kerins
Down P Graham Clarke, L Clarke, S Murray, S Wilson, Gabriel Clarke, G Savage (0-1), M Coulter (0-2), P Moran, M Pucci, G McGrattan (0-3), M Braniff (0-1), E Trainor, P Coulter (0-2), P Braniff (0-4 0-3 frees) N Sands. Subs J Trainor for Gabriel Clarke, B Coulter for E Trainor, G Adair for M Coulter.
Ref P Dunphy ( Kilkenny)
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