Gaelic Games

Shane Walsh inspires Galway to third successive victory

The sides were level at 1-12 apiece at the end of a breath-taking first-half in Cork

Shane Walsh scored 2-7 in Galway’s win over Cork. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Shane Walsh scored 2-7 in Galway’s win over Cork. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Sat Feb 26 2022 - 20:46

Galway 3-22 Cork 2-17

Shane Walsh inspired Galway to a third successive victory in Division Two as they maintained a direct course for promotion at Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Saturday night.

It was Cork’s third defeat and with only a point to their name from a draw with Clare, they are now firmly in the battle to avoid relegation - and all its consequences in terms of the new football championship.

The sides were level at 1-12 apiece at the end of a breath-taking first-half with Blake Murphy goaling for Cork inside 90 seconds only for Wash to convert a seventh minute penalty.

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Galway swept four points clear with Robert Finnerty and Matthew Tierney also impressing before Cork replied with five unanswered scores as Steven Sherlock showed his prowess from frees.

It was a different story on the resumption as Galway took control and but for a couple of outstanding saves by home goalkeeper Chris Kelly, they would have been in a more commanding position.

But, they pounced twice in 90 seconds to surge into a winning position, when Damien Comer and Walsh slammed in unstoppable goals for a 3-16 to 1-15 lead after 54 minutes.

Their advantage spread to 12 points approaching the end before Cork hit 1-1 in injury-time, with substitute Daniel O’Connell finishing off a fine move to score his side’s second goal.

Cork: C Kelly; B Hennessy, K Flahive, T Corkery (0-1); K O'Donovan (0-2), S Meehan, M Taylor; I Maguire (0-1), R Maguire; D O Duinnin, F Herlihy, C O'Callaghan; B Murphy (1-2), S Sherlock (0-10, six frees), J O'Rourke (0-1).

Subs: C Kiely for Meehan (43 mins), P Allen for Corkery (57 mins), E McSweeney for Hennessy (61 mins), D O’Connell (1-0) for O’Rourke (64 mins), MA Martin for Kelly (65 mins).

Galway: C Flaherty; K Molloy (0-1), S Kelly, L Silke; D McHugh (0-2), J Daly, C McDaid; P Conroy (0-1), P Kelly; M Tierney (0-2), S Walsh (2-7, 1-0 pen, four frees), O Gallagher (0-1); R Finnerty (0-4), D Comer (1-1), D Conneely (0-2).

Subs: C Sweeney for Gallagher (39 mins), T Gill (0-1) for Kelly (55 mins), F O Laoi for Heaney (62 mins), D Silke for Walsh (64 mins), N Daly for Conroy (68 mins).

Referee: C Reilly (Meath).