Galway full-back Fintan Burke laments that they went away from their preferred style in the Leinster final but is confident they’ve learned from their mistakes ahead of the quarter-final.
The hurling side of the county was enveloped by gloom after their latest misfire against Kilkenny in a provincial decider, the fourth such defeat in the last six years and possibly the most demoralising.
In his post-match press conference, Micheál Donoghue said that Galway failed to “implement their own style” and had spent the first half “lorrying it from too far out and Huw Lawlor was dominant”.
Thirteen points down in the second half and with the contest apparently petering out to a dismal conclusion, Galway did rally, bringing it back to a four-point game before Mossy Keoghan capitalised on a goalkeeping error to put a stop to the comeback.
Burke is frustrated that Galway played so much of the game on Kilkenny’s terms but says the late burst was an indication of what they were trying to achieve.
“We have a lot to work on, given our performances,” Burke told RTÉ Sport.
“But I think there are a lot of positives. Inside the group, we see the way we’re trying to play. It’s coming to fruition.
“We just need to bring that for 75 minutes, more than for 10 or 15 minute spells.
“That was kind of us hurling how we want to hurl. It’s disappointing how we went away from what we were trying to do. We probably were OK for the first 20 minutes.
“They obviously got the goal just before half-time which was a bit of a killer. We probably went back into our shells and didn’t express ourselves as much as we’d like to.
“We probably played the game on their terms.”
At the beginning of the season, it was signalled that Galway were entering a transitional period. All-Ireland winning manager Donoghue returned to the hotseat on a four-year term and a remit to refresh the side. Stalwarts from the 2010s like Joseph Cooney, Gearóid McInerney and Adrian Touhey all departed the panel before the league.
However, the team is still notably reliant on veterans from the 2017 All-Ireland success, with Cathal Mannion carrying an inordinate amount of the scoring load, David Burke still roving around midfield and Daithí Burke a reassuring presence in the full-back line.
There have been some new-ish faces, with the likes of John Fleming nailing down a regular spot at wing-forward. Burke insists the perceived transition period will take some time.
“Management have been before and they’re bringing a nice new group of young players who are bedding into the time.
“It takes time. It’s not going to happen overnight. We know that. But we also don’t want to use that as an excuse.
“We want success now. But it probably will take a bit of time – but hopefully not too much time.”
On the flipside, Galway’s quarter-final record has been considerably better than their Leinster final run over the past decade or so.
The Tribesmen are on a run of five straight wins at this stage of the competition, stretching back to their Johnny Glynn-inspired demolition of Cork in the 2015 quarter-final.
Two of their last three wins in this round came against Tipperary, Aidan Harte’s late goal turning the 2020 encounter in Galway’s direction.
In 2023, Galway were far superior to Liam Cahill’s side, with only wasteful shooting preventing a lop-sided scoreline.
While they are deemed heavy outsiders against a Tipp team who appear rejuventated in 2025, Burke is confident they have put their Leinster final disappointment behind them.
“The sooner we can get over the last game, the better. You spend a day or two looking back and trying to figure out what went wrong and what you can improve on.
“Then, the games are coming so fast, you don’t have time to ponder. You’re back in training and looking forward to the next day.”
