Preview: Dublin v Galway - 2024 Dioralyte Walsh Cup SemI-Final

Wed, 17th January 2024

Pic courtesy Des Pearson

By Conor Martin

Our Senior Hurlers take on defending Dioralyte Walsh Cup champions Galway this Saturday at Parnell Park for a place in the final.

After two solid performances so far this pre-season, this weekend’s game gives our hurlers the chance to continue the momentum they have generated so far, ahead of the fast-approaching Allianz Hurling League season.

We got our pre-season underway with a 2-31 to 1-12 win over Westmeath. Cian O’Sullivan scored an impressive 0-10, while goals from Donal Leavy and Brian Hayes, as well as a helpful cameo from Joe Flanagan, capped off a strong start to the competition.

Diarmaid Ó Dúlaing led the way on the scoring front in our second game as we took on Antrim, amassing 1-05 as Dublin won comfortably to the tune of 2-31 to 1-20.

Micheál Donoghue’s men controlled proceedings and had a 10-point lead at the break.

Paul Crummey was also on the charge for Dublin, as he found the net too, while Flanagan also demonstrated his ability to pick up scores as we secured a semi-final spot.

Galway took on Offaly in their first game of the competition. However, the game would not last the full 70 minutes, as it was abandoned after 55 minutes due to heavy fog. Henry Shefflin’s men were in full control of the match when the referee brought the curtain down on the tie, with a 4-15 to 1-11 scoreline in favour of Galway being allowed to stand and Galway picked up the points.

The Tribesmen booked their place in the semi-final in style with a resounding 21-point win over Laois. Jason Flynn was Galway’s leading scorer with 1-9 and he wasn’t the only man in a maroon shirt scoring for fun; Declan McLoughlin rattled the net three times and Alex Connaire picked up 2-1 for himself as Galway recorded a mammoth 6-29 to 2-20 win.

Galway have four Walsh Cups to their name and will be looking to continue their bid to retain their title. Dublin, on the other hand, will be hoping to put those aspirations to bed and set up a final showdown with either Kilkenny or Wexford.