Cork were left to rue ten first-half wides as they left Pearse Stadium with just a point, but they rallied well in the final quarter to salvage a draw.
Cork had Paudie O’Sullivan’s goal on the hour mark to thank for at least escaping with a share of the spoils, but manager Jimmy Barry Murphy was disappointed with his side’s early wastefulness that proved costly.
“I was worried at half-time because we hadn’t played well and we took a lot of bad options and hit some bad wides.
"When Galway pulled ahead it didn't look good for us but our lads showed plenty of spirit. And that's the one aspect of the game I am pleased about. We were very poor in the second-half against Clare last week whereas today we showed plenty of spirit and that's very encouraging," said the six time All-Ireland winner.
Little annoyed
His opposite number was also a little annoyed with his side after they threw away a four point lead midway through the second half.
And Cunningham’s side have it all to do now against Waterford next week if they are to avoid the drop to Division 1B.
“There was a lack of concentration there in the finish really. It is something we will talk to the players about and go through it in detail.
“You can’t allow a good team like Cork into it and take your foot off the pedal because they’ll come back and hit you with a sucker punch of a goal. We paid the price for that.
“This league is extremely competitive, I don’t think there is any team qualified and definitely we have everything to play for on the last day,” said Cunningham.
Aside from their late lethargy, Galway will be worried about their thin spread of scorers, just Joe Canning, Davy Glennon and Cyril Donnellan hit the target for the Tribesmen, while Cork had nine scores overall.
After a tight opening dominated by Canning’s brilliance up front, Galway struck a crucial goal through Davy Glennon on 21 minutes. Cork goalkeeper Anthony Nash had no chance with the Mullagh man’s shot, but a minute from the break he he fired home a penalty gave Cork a 1-7 to 1-6 lead at half-time.
Canning hit a splendid side line cut a minute after the break and followed it up with his fourth free after Lehane and McLoughlin had both hit the target for Cork.
Donnellan and Canning had edged Galway ahead again by the 50th minute and a minute later the Tribesmen looked in total control when Donnellan hit the net after he fielded an arrowed cross from Davy Glennon at the edge of the square.
But Cork rallied and after Cian McCarthy hit a free and substitute Stephen Moylan chased it with a good point from play, O’Sullivan hit the crucial score, which delighted Barry-Murphy.
“Yeah it was a brilliant goal by Paudie in fairness, and Cian McCarthy did great work in the build up to it, he gave him a fantastic pass. We really needed a goal to hang in there because I think with the wind and the way we were playing, a goal gives you a lift . . ,” he said.
Cork now face a sticky tie against Kilkenny next week where they will hope to earn their place in the league semi-final, while Galway desperately need to pick up a win against Waterford to avoid a relegation play-off.
