Second half turnaround sees Galbally return to senior football

The parish of Galbally is celebrating this morning after they won the Intermediate Football title with a 1-6 to 0-8 victory over Rathkeale at the Gaelic Grounds last night.

Trailling 1-1 to 0-7 at the break, things looked bleak for Ger Fahy’s side but a remarkable second half comeback saw his side to a thrilling win.

Led by the impeccable James Ryan in midfield, they patiently clawed back Rathkeale’s lead to level the game, before Kieran Hickey sent over the match winning score in the 54th minute.

The win in the football capped an incredible few days for the club, whose hurlers won the Premier Intermediate Championship with Garryspillane last Saturday.

After the game, Ryan spoke with Sporting Limerick and said that bringing the hurt from last year’s defeat to St Senan’s in the final helped turn things around in the second half.

“We brought it from the toes and said we can’t lose another one. We knew we weren’t switched on from the first half and they were only three points up with a strong wind so we knew were still in with a shout.

“When it was a draw, we hit two, three, maybe four wides in a row. They do sap the energy out of you but we had the momentum.

“That last point from Kieran Hickey. When that went in, with all the momentum we had, that’s when we knew we had it won.”

The Galbally manager Ger Fahy also spoke to us after the game saying that the victory concludes a three year plan that has seen his side return to senior football in Limerick.

“We have timed it exceptionally well because we have a really youthful team coming up. It’s a brilliant feeling. It’s a credit to everyone on our panel. We have a panel of 24 players.

“Everyone on that panel has given it 110% this year and over the last two years to get to where we are. It’s a brilliant feeling.”