CUMANN LÚTHCHLEAS GAEL

Coiste Chontae na Gaillimhe

Príomh Oifig Stáid an Phiarsaigh, Bóthar na Trá, Gaillimh

PRESS RELEASE

29^th August 2019

Subject:        Galway Senior Hurling Management

Galway GAA County Committee wish to record their sincere gratitude and thanks to Team Manager, Micheál Donoghue (Clarinbridge), Team Selectors Francis Forde (Turloughmore), Noel Larkin (Meelick Eyrecourt), Damian Joyce (Cappataggle) and their complete backroom team and support staff for their commitment, dedication and sterling service shown to the Galway Senior Hurling team since taking up their position in December 2015.

During their tenure, over the past four seasons, this management team have been instrumental in bringing the glory days back to Galway hurling; winning a National Hurling League title (2017), Leinster Senior hurling titles (2017 & 2018) and landing the coveted All Ireland Senior Hurling title in 2017, Galway’s first All-Ireland Senior Hurling title since 1988.

Michéal and his management team have worked tirelessly during this period, bringing a professional and thorough approach to the role, and in doing so they ensured that the Galway Senior Hurling team achieved their ultimate desired goal of winning the Liam McCarthy Cup.

We also thank their families for the sacrifices that they have made over these four wonderful years for Galway hurling.

All in Galway GAA wish them every success in the future.

Le meas,

Padraig Ó Cearnaigh   (Chairperson)     

Séamus Ó Gráda  (Secretary)      

Micheál de Búrca (Treasurer)

on behalf of Coiste Chontae na Gaillimhe, CLG

By Cian O'Connell

Mícheál Donoghue has stepped down as manager of the Galway senior hurling team.

Donoghue guided Galway to All Ireland glory in 2017, defeating Waterford in the decider at Croke Park.

Galway returned to the final in 2018, but lost narrowly to Limerick at GAA headquarters.

In 2019 an injury ravaged Galway were knocked out of the Leinster Championship on scoring difference following a loss to Dublin at Parnell Park.

The Clarinbridge clubman along with selectors Noel Larkin and Francis Forde all made a significant mark with Galway.

“I, together with the Galway Senior Hurling Management team, informed the Galway County Board that we are not taking up the fifth year of our term," Donoghue said in a statement to Galway Bay FM on Tuesday evening.

"We would like to thank Galway GAA for the opportunity they gave us to lead Galway Hurling - it was the opportunity of a lifetime and was both an honour and privilege to do.

 Mícheál Donoghue with the Liam MacCarthy Cup.

"We started out in December 2015 with the simple goal to bring success back to Galway hurling and to build a culture of professionalism and consistency in performance. Since then we have had some amazing days most notably the 2017 All Ireland success. "After four seasons we feel the time is now right to hand on the opportunity to a new management team."

Donoghue praised the manner in which the Galway panel performed during his tenure.

"We would like to thank the players for their honesty, dedication and commitment to their sport and county," Donoghue added.

"We would like to acknowledge and thank our background team and support staff who worked with us for their expertise and service to the Galway senior hurling team.

"To our families and our employers - thank you for being so understanding and supportive of the time commitment a job like this takes. To our main sponsor Supermacs and the many other sponsors who give so willingly their support - thank you, it is greatly appreciated.

"Finally, we thank the Galway hurling clubs and the Galway hurling supporters - your passion, commitment and connection with this team have made doing this job a joy.

"For us all, Galway hurling will continue to play a huge part in our hearts and lives and we wish Galway GAA every success in the future."

Electric Ireland Minor Hurling Final

GALWAY 3-14 KILKENNY 0-12

By Cian O'Connell at Croke Park

This was another minor decider in which Galway’s hard working values were evident as Brian Hanley’s charges carved out a hugely satisfying success.

Hanley, eager to maintain Galway’s splendid recent record at this level, had Galway primed for a battle with the maroon and white team sufficiently crafty to deal with Kilkenny’s spirited challenge.

Sean McDonagh ended the hour with a 2-8 haul and was instrumental throughout for Galway, who collected a third minor title on the spin.

The striped outfit were defiant, but Galway plundered two first half goals courtesy of Ruben Davitt and Sean McDonagh to hold a commanding 2-6 to 0-7 advantage.

Those majors were severe blows to Kilkenny’s hopes with Davitt mining an opportunistic goal in the eighth minute signalling Galway’s intentions.

In first half additional time McDonagh made the Kilkenny net dance from a penalty following a Peter McDonald foul on the imposing and impressive Greg Thomas.

Boosted by those two goals Galway led by five at the turnaround with Kilkenny relying on the crisp accuracy of Billy Drennan for scores.

After the restart Kilkenny craved an improvement, but Galway refused to read from that script with McDonagh remaining prominent.

Sean McDonagh scored 2-8 for Galway against Kilkenny at Croke Park.

Galway clipped another five points without response with Davitt and Thomas supplying cute efforts guiding the Tribesmen 2-11 to 0-6 clear.

Drennan terminated a 13 minute search for a second period score when Drennan nailed a free, but Galway were unperturbed.

Thomas’ inviting pass released McDonagh, who summoned an equally tidy goalscoring finish as Galway led 3-12 to 0-10 in the 47th minute.

Kilkenny just couldn’t adequately cope with Galway’s potent mixture of power and poise up front with the Tribesmen powering to a 13th All Ireland crown.

Scorers for Galway: Sean McDonagh 2-8 (1-0 pen, 6fs, 165), Ruben Davitt 1-2, Tiernan Killeen 0-2, Greg Thomas and Alex Connaire 0-1 each.

Scorers for Kilkenny: Billy Drennan 0-6 (5fs), Colman O’Sullivan 0-2, Peter McDonald, Braedon Wheeler, Timmy Clifford, and Liam Moore 0-1 each.

GALWAY: Michael Egan; Christy Brennan, Eoin Lawless, Adam Nolan; Enda Collins, Ian McGlynn, John Cooney; Liam Leen, Alex Connaire; Colm Cunningham, Sean McDonagh, Tiernan Killeen; Ruben Davitt, Shane Morgan, Greg Thomas.

Subs: Gavin Lee for Cunningham (46), Sean O’Hanlon for Morgan (52), Eanna Davoren for Collins (55), Colm Molloy for Davitt (59), Niall Glynn for Thomas (60).

KILKENNY: Aidan Tallis; Billy Reid, William Halpin, Tristan Roche; Peter McDonald, Padraic Moylan, Zach Bay Hammond; Liam Moore, James Aylward; Pierce Blanchfield, Timmy Clifford, Colman O'Sullivan; Billy Drennan, Jack Doyle, Ian Byrne.

Subs: Denis Walsh for Blanchfield (38), Andy Hickey for Aylward (44), Braedon Wheeler for Byrne (52), Aran Murphy for Drennan (59).

REFEREE: Patrick Murphy (Carlow).

Details of Galway Minor Team to face Kilkenny in the All Ireland Minor Hurling Final announced

1. Michael Egan (Cappataggle)
2. Christy Brennan (Clarinbridge)
3. Eoin Lawless (Athenry)
4. Adam Nolan (Kilnadeema Leitrim)
5. Enda Collins (Carnmore)
6. Ian McGlynn Capt. (Kilconieron)
7. John Cooney (Sarsfields)
8. Liam Leen (Clarinbridge)
9. Alex Connaire (Sarsfields)
10. Colm Cunningham (Moycullen)
11. Sean McDonagh (Mountbellew)
12. Tiernan Killeen (Loughrea)
13. Ruben Davitt (Oranmore)
14. Shane Morgan (Loughrea)
15. Greg Thomas (Ballygar)
16. Eoin Killeen (Gort)
17. Sean O’Hanlon (Turloughmore)
18. Gavin Lee (Clarinbridge)
19. Eanna Davern (Moycullen)
20. Oisin Slevin (Ardrahan)
21. Paddy Cummins (Gort)
22. Colm Molloy (Kilnadeema Leitrim)
23. Niall Glynn (Ahascragh Fohenagh)
24. Luke Prendergast (Ballindereen)

 Other Panel Members:

• Mark Hardiman (Athenry)
• Ryan Howley (Craughwell)
• Cillian Callaghan (Castlegar)
• Jack Linnane (Gort)
• Declan McLoughlin (Portumna)
• Mathew Rosengrave (Michael Cusacks)
• Ben O’Connor (Ardrahan)
• Conor Slattery (Tommy Larkins)

Best Wishes to the all the Lads and the Management Team!

Congratulations to Cappataggle who won the Kevin Burke Tyres Division 1 Hurling League beating Loughrea 2-14 to 0-19

Congratulations to Oranmore/Maree who won the Kevin Burke Tyres Division Two Hurling League Title beating Ballindereen 4-14 to 3-7.

Congratulations to Meelick Eyrecourt who won the Kevin Burke Tyres Division 3 Hurling League defeating Kilconerion1 on a scoreline of 0-25 to 1-19