FBD League – Rd 2 – Leitrim v Galway – Irish Indo

Galway Manager Liam Sammon believes Gaelic football is being improved by the new rules and that significant progress is now being seen.

And Leitrim joint-Manager John Morrison also believes the game will be much better off if the new rules are given a chance.

Both men were high in their praise for referee Marty Duffy for the way he handled this FBD League match at Duggan Park in Ballinasloe, with the Sligo official issuing four black books to each side, but no yellow cards.

"That was very sensible refereeing by Marty Duffy. It is inevitable that it will take referees and players some time to adjust to the new rules but you can see real progress," said Sammon.

"Two things were quite apparent; it was great to see there was no jersey-pulling and there were no third-man tackles. Players now know they will get yellow cards for those offences and that has to be good for Gaelic football," he added.

Morrison also felt that significant progress had been made and urged that Managers be trained in how to coach the new rules.

"Simple things will make the difference. For example, if players are coached to tackle with the near arm there will be less frees. It is only when players try to tackle when they bring the outside arm around that fouls are usually committed.

"Yet, Managers dont coach that into players. We are making progress and sensible refereeing like today helps greatly. Referees will differ but it is up to players and their Managers to get this right and stop blaming referees," he said.

Morrison was pleased with Leitrims second-half performance. It looked like they would suffer a drubbing after Galway led by 0-9 to 0-3 at the interval with the Tribesmen having played against the wind.

Rallied

Points from Michael Meehan and impressive newcomer Jonathan Ryan shortly after the restart pushed Galway into an 0-11 to 0-3 lead. However, Leitrim rallied after that with Emlyn MulliganÓgiving them further options in attack.

Noel Doonan and James Glancy found the range for Leitrim but they never looked like getting the goal they required to get back into contention.

Galway laid the foundation for victory in the opening half against the wind as they opened up a 0-9 to 0-3 interval lead, with Nicky Joyce kicking four of these for the holders.

Sammons post-match assessment was exact. "We played some nice stuff and we strung some moves together right through from the backline at pace.

"Again I thought there was a good blend between the established lads and some of the younger lads, who are going well. It is good to see that and it is good to see guys getting a chance at this level.

"The first half was encouraging, but, in the second half, I felt we went out of the game a little bit which was slightly similar to the Sligo game.

"When we were ahead we seemed to take the foot of the pedal a bit and that is a dangerous thing to do because you are allowing the other team back into it."

ScórERS — Galway: N Joyce 0-4 (2fs), J Ryan 0-3, C Bane 0-2, M Meehan (1f), M Coady, J Bergin 0-1 each.Leitrim: J Glancy (Glencar-Manorhamilton) 0-3 (1f), E Mulligan 0-2 (1f), B Guckian, N Doonan, B Gallagher 0-1 each.

Galway — P Doherty; N Coyne, F Hanley, D Meehan; D FinnÓgan, D Blake, D Mullahy; G ODonnell, J Bergin; M Lydon, N Joyce, C Bane; J Ryan, M Meehan, M Coady. Subs: A Faherty for Doherty (ht) C Hands for D Meehan (41) ; D OReilly for Blake (46) ; JJ Greaney for Lydon (52); Fiachra Breathnach for Bane (56).

Leitrim — E Lyons; A OFlynn, J McKeon, J McGuinness; B McWeeney, P Gilmartin, James Glancy (St Marys); B Guckian, N Doonan; P McGowan, S McGourty, B Gallagher; J Holohan, D Maxwell, James Glancy (Glencar-Manorhamilton). Subs: S Foley for McGuinness (ht); P McGuinness for Holohan (40); E Mulligan for McGowan (41); D Gilhooley for McGourty (51); R Gallagher for Doonan (56).

Ref — M Duffy (Sligo).

 

 

12-Jan-09 by Irish Independant.ie