Kernan's vision at last taking shape

Galway 1-15 Tyrone 0-14:  LET THESE teams meet in the All-Ireland. For the past few years, Galway and Tyrone have produced a series of spring classics that, while soon forgotten, evoked the better qualities of the game. Yesterday's encounter did not quite catch fire but it was still a commendably positive and clean game of football and one which hinted at the potential magic of a heavyweight tussle between the counties

This win puts Joe Kernan’s team back on the track and, in truth, the home side were in control for most of the game. However, a 72nd-minute shot by Tommy McGuigan flashed past the Galway goal as a general reminder that of all teams, Tyrone keep on hustling until the end.

The visitors played some good football, particularly during a 12-minute patch in the second half, when they strung together five points in a row and demonstrated just how smooth and effortless their play is when all is in synchronicity. But the final whistle left them rooted in what Mickey Harte wryly described as “ a very bad place”. They will slog it out with Kerry, their September rivals, next weekend in order to keep their Division One status alive.

But this was a hugely reassuring win for Galway people studying the form under Joe Kernan. Afterwards, the maroon team were applauded from the field and as Kernan prepared to give an interview, he offered a hearty clap on the back to Joe Bergin, who stood alongside him. The Mountbellew man cut a different figure here to the one who had shifted about on the periphery of the action against Kerry a week ago.

From the very beginning, he looked determined to shape this game and ran the field tirelessly, carrying ball, directing the flow of the attack, helping back on defence and – always the highlight of his game – taking several brilliant catches.

He scored two points that were of inestimable importance, the first coming on 60 minutes when Tyrone were pressing hard and the second in the 66th when there was just a goal between the teams and Galway required a score. Both were from distance and both were thumped with huge conviction – for the first, Bergin had turned his back on the posts while the ball was still travelling through the air.

The scores were significant in that it was clear that Bergin wanted to assume the responsibility and once again, his importance to Galway as a leader is obvious.

“Joe Bergin has always been a good player in my eyes and he showed that today. When we needed someone to stand up today he certainly stood up,” Kernan remarked. “The fight and the character they showed was very pleasing. They took the game to Tyrone in the first half whereas in the past we have backed off and let other teams dictate to us. Declan Meehan won a ball along the line, shipped a tackle but he stood his ground, That lifts players. That’s the sort of character you’re looking for in your players.”

Overall, Galway looked sharper and brighter in their movement. Mattie Clancy’s fourth-minute goal set the tone, a crashing left foot shot after corner back David Reilly steamed through to provide the pass. Clancy works best as a free-roaming poacher and he was good value for his 1-3 here.

Eoin Concannon had an enjoyable day in the left corner and banged over an outrageous point just before half time to give Galway a 1-7 to 0-5 lead. That score was important because after the restart, Galway tacked on three quick points, a pair of frees and a well taken point from Clancy to give themselves a 1-10 to 0-6 lead. All of a sudden, without playing particularly badly, Tyrone were in a hole.

They are a notoriously difficult team to get a read on in the early season but one thing that has not departed Tyrone is their appetite for hard work. They pressed up on the Galway defence, scavenging for ball in packs.

Martin Penrose was the highlight of the Tyrone attack on an afternoon when scores were hard to come by and the introduction of Seán Cavanagh turned the midfield sector in Tyrone’s favour for what was their best period of play. Cavanagh landed one of his typically impossible looking points to let Galway know that it was game on with 20 minutes left.

It was a crucial test for Galway: a collapse here could have done serious damage to their self-belief just when the season is starting to quicken. Gary Sice influence was apparent, Ciarán Fitzgerald had a good second half, Nicky Joyce worked his socks off and Diarmuid Blake fronted a strong Galway defensive effort.

Kernan’s vision for Galway is nowhere near complete, but it took a huge step forward yesterday.

GALWAY:E O'Conghaile; D Reilly, F Hanley, D Burke; D Meehan, D Blake (0-1), G O'Donnell; P Conroy (0-1), N Coleman; G Sice (0-2), F Breathnach, J Bergin (0-2); E Concannon (0-4, 2 frees), N Joyce (0-1 free), M Clancy (1-3). Subs:C Fitzgerald for Hanley (h-t), C Bane (0-1) for Meehan (48 mins), D O'Neill for Burke (52 mins), D Dunleavy for Conroy (54 mins), D Cummins for Breathnach (65 mins).

TYRONE:J Devine; M Seift, J McMahon, C Gourley; D Harte, C Gormley, R McMenamin; A Cassidy (0-1), C Cavanagh (0-1); J McMahon, C McCullagh (0-1), R Mulgrew; T McGuigan (0-1 free), M Penrose (0-8 6 frees), J McAnulla. Subs:R Mellon (0-1) for Mulgrew (h-t), S Cavanagh ( 0-1) for Harte (h-t), S O'Neill for Swift (62 mins), P Harte for McAnulla (62 mins).

Referee:M Duffy (Sligo).