Galway dig deep to see off heroic Faithful challenge

LEINSTER SHC SEMI-FINAL REPLAY Galway 3-17 Offaly 2-18:JOE CANNING stories have been doing the rounds since his now trademark sideline cut, as a 15-year-old, in the 2004 All-Ireland minor final replay against Kilkenny.

Here is another one.

Supposedly, Canning’s only flaw is shooting off his left side. One minute into the two added on, with extra-time looming, he gathered possession 55 metres out running perilously close to the left touchline. With barely a glance at the posts, he sent a magical strike between them. His momentum almost had him in the crowd, but he stalled just inches from his delirious Tribe and raised an index finger to heaven.

And yet, there was so much more to this epic collision than the, albeit defining, last-minute contribution of this great hurler.

Offaly even attacked once more, but elder brother Ollie Canning was out in front, as he was all day, winning a free near his own 45 that Ger Farragher pointed.

Just for fun.

This finally quelled an Offaly rebellion, but if Joe Dooley keeps them operating at this level, one from the established order will eventually be unseated in the qualifiers.

“I’m very proud of the lads,” said Dooley on Saturday night. “They have put pride back in the Offaly jersey.”

Galway simply refused to be beaten. Next up is a huge test against Kilkenny next Sunday.

Galway led this thunderous affair 2-9 to 0-7 at half-time, but Offaly defender David Franks gave warning of what was to come with an long-range injury-time point.

Still, the game seemed over as a contest.

Their full-back line of Franks, David Kenny and Stephen Egan are a brave lot (all three departed injured), but they were being torn asunder by the quality of ball, mainly from Farragher, raining in upon them.

Tannian’s height, Damien Hayes’ speed and Canning’s majesty inflicted a remorseless 2-4 in the opening stanza.

Canning finished the second goal beautifully, but it paled in comparison to an earlier effort by Hayes. Both goals came from Farragher’s quick delivery inside.

An official attendance of 12,457 was announced, but the Laois venue has a capacity of 27,000 and it seemed at least three quarters full. It certainly sounded like a packed house when the dramatic Offaly revival took hold.

Dooley launched big Ger Healion into the fray at half-time and he grabbed a point sandwiched between fine scores from Farragher before executing a deft lob over the stranded Galway goalkeeper Colm Callanan for a goal.

Six scores followed in three minutes, four for Offaly with last week’s hero Shane Dooley landing a 65. Hayes appeared to have silenced the Faithful with Galway’s third goal that opened up a six-point margin, but David Burke’s red card changed things.

Referee McAllister dismissed the midfielder, presumably for retaliation. Dooley fired over two quick frees and Joe Bergin the goal that levelled matters with 12 minutes remaining. Dooley registered a great point to put Offaly ahead.

But Farragher responded immediately. Bergin hit the crossbar. Farragher restored Galway’s lead only for Dooley to peg them back again. It was relentless. Extra-time beckoned when Farragher and Tony Óg Regan shots both sailed wide.

Galway needed a hero. Cue Joe Canning’s majestic intervention.

Galway boss John McIntyre called for support next week.

“I appeal to any Galway sports person to come to Croke Park next Sunday and get behind this Galway hurling team because they gave it everything this evening.”

GALWAY: 1 C Callanan; 2 D Joyce, 3 S Kavanagh, 4 O Canning; 5 D Barry (0-1), 6 T Óg Regan, 17 J Lee; 8 G Farragher (0-6, four frees), 9 D Burke; 24 E Ryan, 12 A Callanan (0-1), 21 A Smith (0-1); 14 J Canning (1-3), 10 D Hayes (2-3), 15 I Tannian (0-2). Subs: 23 N Healy for E Ryan (44 mins), 20 J Gantley for N Healy (60 mins), 18 A Cullinane for A Smith (65 mins). Yellow cards: A Smith (5 mins), D Joyce (46 mins). Red card: D Burke (52).

OFFALY: 1 J Dempsey; 2 D Franks, 3 D Kenny (0-1), 4 S Egan; 5 J Rigney, 6 P Cleary, 7 D Morkan; 8 R Hanniffy, 9 D Hayden; 10 B Carroll (0-3), 11 J Brady, 18 K Brady; 13 S Dooley (0-10, six frees, two 65s), 14 J Bergin (1-1), 15 B Murphy (0-2). Subs: 19 M Verney for D Franks (6-10 mins and 40 mins), 20 G Healion (1-1) for K Brady (ht), 21 C Parlon for D Kenny (52), 22 O Kealey for S Egan (62). Yellow cards: R Hanniffy (15), P Cleary (31), J Rigney (67).

Referee: C McAllister(Cork).