Galway Make it Two in a Row

The Connacht Tribune, Saturday, October 2, 1965

Far Superior Champions Carried Too Much Power for Kerrymen

Galway 0—12
Kerry 0—9

They said they were finished! They said they were lucky to be there at all. But Galway — The All—Ireland Football Champions — once again proved the complete masters over Kerry in the All—Ireland Football Final at Croke Park on Sunday.

And had the Galway men been allowed to open up the play they would have inflicted a more crushing defeat on the mighty Kingdom. Indeed from the throw—in to the final whistle there was never any doubt about the outcome in a game which fell well below the expectations of the 77,735 attendance. But all credit to the champions — it was no fault of theirs that the football suffered in the quest for honours. The mantle of greatness undoubtedly rests where it belongs—with the Corribsiders — a team which has exploded for all time the myth of Kerry invincibility in the football arena. By their victory Galway have made it two All—Irelands in a row; they have proved that a team which wins the All—Ireland and National League title and travels to America can do it again. An mark these written words—they can do it again next year.

No Quarter

From the very outset there was no quarter asked for or given in this really hard encounter. Yet Galway set the scoring in motion with an ease which has characterised their football for the past three years. In the opening minutes Dunmore's John Keenan punched over a great point and Galway led to the final whistle. The Kingdom enjoyed their best spell immediately following the opening of the second half and managed to get within a point of Galway's total. Yet Galway once again assumed control after the Galway team managers switched Pateen Donnellan to mark the Kerry stylist Mick O'Connell. The Galway grip on the game was immediately consolidated and try as they might Kerry were doomed to defeat. Galway had performed creditably at midfield during the opening half — Mick Reynolds and Pat Donnellan — laid on a very good service to their forwards. But the switching of Denis O'Sullivan to right half back—in an effort to curb the flying Galway winger Seamus Leydon — was if anything more of a Kerry tribute to Leydon's ability than to any worry about centrefield where honours broke about even. True Kerry were in trouble at midfield once the lion hearted Pat Donnellan took over the marking of Mick O'Connell. But control had been asserted in Galway's favour where many had contended that Galway would be in real trouble.

Two Escapes

Conditions were ideal for football but the game failed to yield up its expected store of thrills—even if there were plenty of spills. Writing about the game last week we pointed out that Kerry, who had made so many positional switches, had not come up with an All—Ireland winning combination. The Galway forwards and indeed the Kerrymen too were policed to great effect but with this difference — the Kerry net had two remarkable escapes in the opening half—once when it took four Kerry defenders to stop Ballygar's Mattie McDonagh just outside the square—and again in the second half when Seamus Leydon got his hand to a centre and placed the ball for Christy Tyrrell but unfortunately Tyrrell, who normally would have the ball in the back of the net from such a pass, was blocked off from reaching it by a Kerry defender in the nick of time.

The defenders certainly came out of this game with colours flying in so far as they managed to hold off the respective attacks from goal scoring expeditions. Yet Galway's Colleran, Tierney and McDermott take the honours for being the football masters of their Kerry forward opponents.

Tierney showed a return to his best form while Enda Colleran and Bosco McDermott left no gaps and cleared their lines whenever danger threatened with a coolness that has made their names household words. In a word they beat off the Kerry attacks with football skill and ability.

Brilliant Form

Behind this trio Johnny Geraghty was in brilliant form and his agility and judgement was brought into action when a dangerous shot from Bernie O'Callaghan was quite capably dealt with by his timing and rapier like punch on the ball.

The Kerry backs however were never easy and it was obviously panic stations whenever a Galway forward broke loose with the ball. Seamus Leydon split the Kerry defence wide up with great thrusts on a few occasions but Mattie McDonagh was under very heavy guard. And he was never the same after being carried off the field nearing the half time whistle.

In the early stages the fouls were mostly of the irritating variety. Had the referee, Dr. Mick Loftus of Mayo let the players know that he was the boss at this stage at least some of the ill tempers which flared up later in the game might have been avoided. One has to remember however that the task of the referee can be made impossible if some players do not display a maturity one comes to expect from adults. Sometimes too the innocent suffer as a result of what went before. This was clearly the case in the incident which led to John Donnellan and Derry O'Shea being sent off. From the Cusack Stand it looked an incident in which justice would have been done had a word of warning been administered and the names taken. But the real hero of the Galway half back line was Galwegian Martin Newell and he was undoubtedly the man of the match as far as the champions were concerned. By his speed, agility and ball control Newell turned in perhaps the best performance of his football career. He came flying through with the ball on numerous occasions in the first half to place his forwards with a precision like service. His agility too saved him from the attentions of the Kerrymen when a swerve or jump got him out of what could have been trouble for him. And his fielding and clean catching of the ball was never better. If a man of the match must be named then Newell was Galway's hero of the day.

Figures of Game

First Half

Galway

Gls	Pts	Frees	Wides	50's
0	7	9	4	2

Kerry

Gls	Pts	Frees	Wides	50's
0	4	15	3	2

Second Half

Galway

Gls	Pts	Frees	Wides	50's
0	5	10	7	0

Kerry

Gls	Pts	Frees	Wides	50's
0	5	9	8	0

Totals

Galway

Gls	Pts	Frees	Wides	50's
0	12	19	11	2

Kerry

Gls	Pts	Frees	Wides	50's
0	9	24	11	2

Handful

Sean Meade certainly had a handful to cope with in Pat Griffin and while honours were about evenly shared in this sector Griffin looked as if he could be much more resourceful — on the day he promised much but against a very solid Galway defender he achieved little. And if the honours were shared between the two it can be stated they were shared honourably.

Kerry's Bernie O'Callaghan was another forward who was in fine fettle and against a defender of a lesser calibre than Galway's Bosco McDermott he would have achieved much more than he was allowed to on this occasion.

Mastered

But the Kerry attack was mastered all through—it promised much on paper but the Galway backs were equal to the task and were never really troubled in curbing the Kerry thrusts. Noel Tierney had Mick O'Dwyer well policed and with his colleagues all playing their part there was never any real danger to the Galway goal. On the other hand the Galway full forward Sean Cleary led the obviously slow Niall Sheehy a merry dance while John Keenan and Christy Tyrrell proved that they take quite a lot of watching—and even then they gave their "policemen", O'Sullivan (Donie) and Mick Morris the slip on several occasions to send distress signals through the Kerry rearguard. Seamus Murphy and Ger D. O'Connor also had their hands full with Seamus Leydon and Cyril Dunne. Dunne was very effective and proved like Leydon that his contributions to Galway's victories has indeed been great. Paud Donoghue certainly kept Mattie McDonagh under close guard but Mattie proved that he can only be stopped, and the stopping tactics employed on him near the half time whistle certainly came in for very strong vocal disapproval from the huge attendance.

Men of the Match

It was not by any means a great final—but it was a great victory for Galway. Winning the All—Ireland for the second year in succession is a wonderful achievement since they won the National League in the United States of America in the meantime. Honour where it is due however for Galway's victory—man of the match Martin Newell, with Pat Donnellan, Noel Tierney, Enda Colleran, Bosco McDermott, Seamus Leydon, Cyril Dunne and Mick Garrett also making a big contribution to Galway's win in which every man played his part, and to Kerry's best Mick O'Connell, Denis O'Sullivan, Ger. D. O'Connor, Bernie O'Callaghan and Johnny Culloty.

The Play

Galway's Enda Colleran won the toss and elected to play into the Railway goal. Kerry attacked from the break of the ball and Noel Tierney thundered through for a good clearance. Galway got moving but from a Kerry free O'Connell sent the ball goalwards and Tierney was again called upon to clear the Galway lines.

Galway opened the scoring in the third minute when Keenan fisted the ball over from a free taken in by Cyril Dunne. Galway made it point number two when a John Donnellan free was collected by Mick Garrett who made no mistake. Mick O'Connell opened Kerry's account with a point from a free but he was wide from another free shortly afterwards.

Geraghty in the Galway goal brought off a fine save from a Bernie O'Callaghan shot. Galway came back into attack and after Culloty saved his goal Galway were awarded a close in free and Dunne made no mistake. Lucey sent Kerry away and Tierney cleared at the expense of a '50'. O'Dwyer got a dropping ball and with Tierney losing his feet at the wrong moment O'Dwyer had time to tap the ball over, just before Tierney recovered, for Kerry's second point. When Mattie McDonagh was pulled down close in Galway added another point from the free per Dunne. Dunne placed Leydon for the next Galway point but a minute later O'Callaghan had another Kerry minor.

Great Point

A side line kick per Pat Donnellan was collected by Leydon who kicked a great point from outfield. A Galway attack was beaten off when Tyrrell's punched ball was cleared by Culloty with the Kerry backs covering well. Kerry returned to the attack but after Denis O'Sullivan collected the ball at midfield and made considerable ground he shot wide of the Galway posts. Galway swung back into attack and nice work between Tyrrell and Keenan resulted in the latter pointing for Galway with a fine shot. Just before half time Bernie O'Callaghan pointed for Kerry to leave the score Galway 0—7; Kerry 0—4.

Pat Donnellan with a wonderful kick had the opening point for Galway from a 45 yards free in the opening minute of the second half. O'Callaghan replied with a point from a free made it still closer for Kerry. Then another Kerry free saw Bernie O'Callaghan point to bring Galway's lead to 0—8 0—7. Dunne however had a point for Galway from a free and Donnellan with another great kick had another point from a free fifty yards out. Dunne pointed another Galway free and Leydon punched over another Galway point. O'Callaghan was wide from two frees for Kerry — one quickly taken was obviously a try for a goal. O'Connell closed Kerry's account with a point from a free. Final score: Galway 0—12; Kerry 0—9. During the second half John

Marching Orders

Donnellan and Derry O'Shea got marching orders as also did John O'Shea — who replaced J.J. Barrett, also of Kerry. Near the end Mick Reynolds came on as sub for John Keenan (Galway).

Galway: J. Geraghty, E. Colleran (capt), N. Tierney, J. B. McDermott, J. Donnellan, S. Meade, M. Newell, M. Garrett, P. Donnellan, C. Dunne, M. McDonagh, S. Leydon, C. Tyrrell, S. Cleary, J. Keenan, Sub: M. Reynolds (for Keenan).

Kerry: J. Culloty, D. O'Sullivan, N. Sheehy, M. Morris, S. Murphy, P. O'Donoghue, J. D. O'Connor, D. O'Sullivan, M. O'Connell, V. Lucey, P. Griffin, D. O'Shea, B. O'Callaghan, M. O'Dwyer, J. J. Barrett. Subs: D. Geaney (for Lucey), J. O'Shea (for Barrett). Ref. M. Loftus (Mayo).

Mr. Alf Murray, President of the GAA, presented the Sam Maguire trophy to Enda Colleran, the Galway captain, who thanked his team—mates, trainers and managers and the Galway supporters.

JBD Rates Galway Players Showings

"Another three points victory for Galway" ran our headline last week. You will, kind readers, pardon our modest blushes, while we mention the fact that "Sports World" was the only one to forecast correctly the result of Sunday's rough and tumble All—Ireland. That affords us extreme pleasure. Even a quick glance at our predictions for this bitter—sweet victory will convince one and all that we were undoubtedly inspired.

For instance, we stated that after weighing the pros and cons of the impending 'battle' we arrived at the conclusion that 'the All—Ireland Champions of 1965, must be Galway and the proud young giant of Gaelic Football who would hold the cup that cheers high over his head must be Enda Colleran'.

We then went on to suggest that Galway would win their sixth All—Ireland title by a margin of three points just as they had retained their Connacht title by three points and beaten Down in the semi—final by three points. The further fact that our Galway 0—12; Kerry 0—9; Attendance 77,777 forecast has won us first prize money in a Draw on the final, is reward enough to make the 1965 All—Ireland Football Final for us 'one to remember'.

Marks System

After a famous victory by Galway last year, we assessed the merits of each individual player on the winning team by the 'marks system'. A writer from Tuam suggests that we should apply the same method for Sunday's performance in the 'public examination' at Croke Park.

We shall attempt to do so with marks awarded out of a 'possible' 100 but may we again remind readers that this system is subject to all the pit—falls of any designed by mortals:

Johnny Geraghty — 100 (First Class Honours) for flawless goal—keeping. The fact the he was penalised for shouldering a Kerry forward did not fit in with our interpretation of the rule.

Enda Colleran — 95 (First Class Honours) for a game only slightly below that standard of his Down match—winning display.

Noel Tierney — 95 (First Class Honours) for a return to the 'heights' of his unequalled skill as cleanest and safest full—back of his day.

John Bosco McDermott — 90 (First Class Honours) for another of those rock—steady displays when up against Kerry's most successful forward of the day.

John Donnellan — 85 (First Class Honours) for his grit and determination in coming back for more after being hit by two of the most reckless 'body—checks' we have ever seen go unpunished, early in the opening half.

Sean Meade — 85 (First Class Honours) for filling superbly this 'trouble spot' on the Galway team for the second year in succession.

Martin Newell — 100 (First Class Honours and a Travelling Scholarship) as the outstanding footballer of the 30 with a display of all the talents.

Michael Garrett — 90 (First Class Honours) for proving to the Gaelic World how a man relegated to the 'subs' should disregard such a temporary change of football fortunes and step into the breach to give all he had, at a moment's notice.

Pat Donnellan — 99 (First Class Honours) for making fullest amends for 1963 with a performance which for sheer 'guts' when pitted against the 'King of Kerry', Mick O'Connell, may never be surpassed. He is 'docked' one mark for indiscretions in the placing of three 'wild' passes.

Cyril Dunne — 95 (First Class Honours) for equalling the great record of a great footballing father by winning his second All—Ireland Senior medal through being Galway's top—scorer and schemer—in—chief.

Mattie McDonagh — 95 (First Class Honours) for becoming Galway's first ever triple Senior All—Ireland medal holder and for sticking it through to the bitter end, although quite obviously concussed following two of the severest 'rattles' ever sustained by a human frame in Croke Park.

Seamus Leyden — 95 (First Class Honours) for 'flying' back to his own special brand of 'jet—football' and for scoring two 'curly' points to write—off a badly—beaten vis—à—vis, Seamus Murphy.

Christy Tyrrell — 90 (First Class Honours) for again proving that there are good goods in small parcels, with a showing which was only barely below his vintage game in last year's final.

Sean Cleary — 95 (First Class Honours) for one of those very intelligent 'demolition jobs'. This time he performed it with almost clinical exactitude on the hapless Niall Sheehy — by remote control.

John Keenan — 95 (First Class Honours) for an all action display crowned by a wonder point on the run when Galway most needed an "injection".

Crystal Ball

Our 'crystal ball' was really 'on the ball' when we decided Kerry's 'panic station' chopping and changing, as follows: The move to bring back Mick Dwyer of the two injured ankles to assume a task that finished Tom Long's career last year in a fruitless effort to mix it successfully with Noel Tierney, is doomed to disappointment.

The 'Milltown Marvel' made our words come true with another of those power—packed displays which have bracketed his name indelibly with those of Paddy O'Brien and Paddy Prendergast.

When we had the temerity to trespass upon the 'hallowed ground' of the super—successful 'Brains Trust' of John Dunne and Frank Stockwell to suggest a rapid cure for Galway's nagging centrefield ills, by having Pat Donnellan 'break' the ball forward rather than go up for the clean catch, one reader phoned us to suggest that such tactical action would best be left to the Sideline 'seers'. Whether or no, it is now gone into the records that Galway retained their All—Ireland title mainly because Pat Donnellan went for the 'break' so successfully that in addition to breaking the ball, he broke Mick O'Connell's heart into the bargain, and by so doing blotted out Kerry's one—and—only hope of upsetting the Champions.

We Were Sorry

Sunday's titanic battle was in turn, tough, taut, tense, terrific. It was also the worst All—Ireland final of the modern era. Every pleasure has its pain, 'tis said, with more than a grain of truth. As we sat (rather uncomfortably in the cramped quarters allotted to the 'Country' Press) the spine—tingling pleasure of watching this all—time great Galway team run rings round Kerry was tinged with a certain amount of sorrow.

We were sorry to see the referee, Dr. Michael Loftus — a good Gael and a genuine sportsman, spoil the game to a degree with a series of bewildering decisions against both sides and then lose control of it in that best forgotten final ten minutes.

We were sorry to see Kerry in the 'moment of truth' disgraced as well as beaten.

We were sorry to hear Kerry boohed off the field at half time and we were sorrier to hear them boohed again when Galway Captain, Enda Colleran, after making the finest and best delivered valedictory speech on record, called for three cheers for the vanquished 'Kingdom'.

We were sorry to see a great hearted and gallant Gael, John Donnellan banished from the field where he and his illustrious late father and his courage—crammed brother had won All—Ireland medals and the acclaim of all Gaeldom, for defending himself from a vicious attack.

We were sorry that Galway once more had perforce to disappoint that Prince of Broadcasters, Michéal O Hehir by winning once again when he so obviously wished it otherwise.

And finally We were sorry that Martin Thornton could not find better use for £180.

Facts of the Game

The following are some interesting facts of Sunday's All—Ireland final:
By winning their sixth title Galway are now in third position behind Kerry and Dublin in the number of All—Irelands won. We contend that in actual fact they are second, as Dublin were playing All—Ireland selections, not Dublin teams up to Galway's first year of success, 1925.

By winning on Sunday, Galway were the first team ever to come back from an American tour and win the title. By winning, Galway won the title twice in succession for the first time and so are in line for their third title in a row next year.

By winning on Sunday, Galway won their second title without a goal being scored by either side in the finals. Last year they won 0—15 to 0—10 and this time 0—12 to 0—9.

By winning on Sunday, Mattie McDonagh became Galway's first holder of three senior All—Ireland medals and Galway became the first county to beat Kerry oftener in championship games than Kerry has beaten them. Sunday's was the eleventh clash between the counties and the score now stands: Galway 6, Kerry 5. With three men put off, Sunday's final put up a record that we hope will never be equalled not to mention beaten!

Old Soldiers

It will definitely be a case of "old soldiers never die" on Sunday next if, as we confidently expect, Roscommon win the All—Ireland junior hurling championship. When they line out against champions of Britain, Warwickshire, at St. Coman's Park, Roscommon will have in their ranks two of the most senior 'juniors' in the annals of the GAA.

They will be those two lionhearted Gaels, Gerry O'Malley and Tom Boyle. Both are now approaching the "40" mark (we are not saying from which direction) and can look back in pride over careers which started on the same day in 1946 when they lined out together for Roscommon.

Since then each has, in addition to playing Gaelic football, excelled as a hurler and they have become the first two Roscommon men to play together on Connacht Railway Cup hurling teams.

As neither has, as yet won the crowning glory of an All—Ireland medal, we join all Western Gaels in wishing them fulfilment of that ambition on Sunday.

Suggestions

Mr. J. Burke of Victoria Road, London, NW6, who wrote us last week wishing the Galway footballers every success on Sunday, is literally full of suggestions as to how Galway hurling can be brought up to the standard of its football. In a suggested "best XV" he makes no revolutionary changes from the side selected to play Clare at Athenry on Sunday. He does, however, suggest that the Galway forwards should practice hand—passing as, he adds: "It can be very neat and effective".

Mr. Burke would also like to see Rev. Father Solon given more assistance in his efforts to bring back Galway hurling and nominates Jimmy Duggan as his choice as manager of the team.