Shane Stapleton gives his player ratings for Galway after their 0-27 to 0-24 All-Ireland semi-final loss to Limerick.
Shane Stapleton gives his player ratings for Galway after their 0-27 to 0-24 All-Ireland semi-final loss to Limerick
Eanna Murphy — 5
Looked set to implode during the first half as he hit one restart over the sideline, and played a one-two with Sean Loftus for another before almost gifting Limerick a goal. The Tommy Larkins man was following instruction by trying high-risk options, and it can go either way. A tough day at the office, but a big positive was his save from David Reidy.
Aidan Harte — 5
Posted on Seamus Flanagan and, without coughing up more than a point in the first half it seemed as though there would have been big trouble without the presence of a sweeper. Spent some time on Aaron Gillane in the second half too.
Daithi Burke — 7
Had a nice battle with Aaron Gillane from the start and eventually came out to the half-back line where he could impose himself on the game. Made a crucial catch closer to goal on 44 minutes, when Seamus Flanagan might have been in for a goal.
Shane Cooney — 5
Had a very tough time of it on Tom Morrissey in the opening half, and was eventually swapped to midfield before being taken off.
Sean Loftus — 7
Held Graeme Mulcahy scoreless, which is no mean feat, before struggling to contain his replacement Peter Casey.
Gearoid McInerney — 5
Spent most of the game at centre-back chasing the shadow of Cian Lynch, but was not helped by the good ball going into his man. Moved to full-back late on.
Joseph Cooney — 5
Had a horrid time of it in the first half as Gearoid Hegarty took him for four points. Improved somewhat when rezoned to the half-forward line for the second period.
Padraic Mannion — 5
Sweeper is an easy position when you’re on top out the field, but Limerick were controlling the flow of the game and largely bypassed Mannion.
Johnny Coen — 7
Edged the battle with Darragh O’Donovan and ran his heart out.
Joe Canning — 6
Brilliant from placed balls, including four wonderful sideline cuts. Struggled to make an impact from play however, and was taken off injured late on after suffering a sickening blow to the head.
Cathal Mannion — 6
Had a point on the board but then came off injured during the first half. Considering he had scored 1-3 against Tipp, Galway were losing an in-form player when it mattered most.
David Burke — 5
Very quiet first half and was withdrawn at half time.
Brian Concannon — 8
Concannon set the tone for Galway’s excellent start to the game with three points, swapping between wing-forward on Diarmaid Byrnes and the inside line.
Conor Cooney — 5
Made no real impact on the game, and struggled with the athleticism of Kyle Hayes early on.
Conor Whelan — 7
Three points from play for a man largely starved of possession. Came out the field in the second half, hoping to make things happen.
Subs
Adrian Tuohey for Cathal Mannion (24) — 7
Fintan Burke for David Burke (half-time) — 7
Jason Flynn for Conor Cooney (45) — 5
Sean Linnane for Shane Cooney (52) — 6
Evan Niland for Canning (68) — 7
