Galligan shows Munster the way

Munster won their third successive Railway Cup title at Duggan Park, Ballinasloe, yesterday with a convincing win over Leinster. The crowd of only a few hundred hardly raised a cheer, however, over the hour. All the Leinster scores came from Johnny Dooley, who scored only one of his 10 points from play, with the rest coming from 65s (two) and frees. Mike Galligan was Munster's chief scorer, with seven points, six of them coming from placed balls. The Limerickman played a wiley role in the half forward line and was the architect of several successful attacks.

The winners made three changes from the team that narrowly disposed of Connacht the previous day and once again Brian Lohan emerged as their best player and played a captain's part in the win. Tipperary's Michael Ryan, who was introduced at corner back for the final, was a tower of strength, with Liam Doyle, Lynch and Galligan always alert, industrious and hungry for success.

Leinster relied on Dooley far too much, and at times the attack lacked a lot of initiative and disappointed with their finishing. In defence Sean Power and Niall Rigney were solid all through. Andy Comerford was the better of the midfielders, with Dooley and Rory McCarthy most dangerous in attack.

Dooley had a brace of points in the opening six minutes before Galligan pointed three frees to put his side in front. As Munster took control, Tommy Dunne had their first point from play in the 23rd minute and they led 0-7 to 0-3 at half-time.

Only 20 seconds of the second half had gone when Dooley pointed a Leinster free from 35 metres, and in the space of four minutes added three more. Although Seanie McGrath interjected with a Munster point, Dooley's scores brought the sides level. Two points from Galligan, followed by one by Ken McGrath, put Munster back contention and when David Fitzgerald saved a pointblank shot from Rory McCarthy, Leinster looked rattled.

However, two points from frees by Dooley left only a point separating the sides with six minutes to go, but Colin Lynch, Ken McGrath and Niall Gilligan finished with Munster points. A great interception by Lohan also deprived Leinster of their only chance of a goal.

Munster: D Fitzgerald (Clare); S McDonagh (Limerick), B Lohan (Clare), M Ryan (Tipperary); D Clarke (Limerick), L Doyle (Clare), T Brown (Waterford); O Moran (Limerick), C Lynch (Clare) (0-1); T Dunne (Tipperary) (0-1), K McGrath (Waterford) (0-2)[R O], M Galligan (Limerick) (0-7), M Cleary (Tipperary), N Gilligan (Clare) (0-2), S McGrath (Cork) (0-1). Subs: C Bonnar (Tipperary), for Moran; D Forde (Clare) for Cleary.

Leinster: R Cashin (Laois); B Maher (Laois), S Power (Dublin), L Simpson (Kilkenny); N Rigney (Offaly), C Byrne (Kildare), R Boland (Dublin); A Comerford (Kilkenny), O Dowling (Laois); J Dooley (Offaly) (0-10), D Rooney (Laois), C McCann (Dublin); R McCarthy (Wexford), C Brennan (Kilkenny), C Carter (Kilkenny). Subs: G Ennis (Dublin), for McCann; C Cassidy (Offaly) for Byrne; J Troy (Offaly) for Rooney.

Referee: J Cooney (Galway).