Dublin v Galway

Tactical Turnover Report: Galway v Dublin – Leinster SHC

Galway’s superior efficiency and defensive organisation proved decisive as they overcame Dublin 0-29 to 3-15 in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship. While the seven-point margin suggests a reasonably close contest, the turnover battle told a far deeper story — one of Galway’s structured intensity, intelligent pressure, and clinical transition play. A breakdown of both halves using turnover maps highlights how Galway consistently disrupted Dublin’s rhythm, won key battles around the middle third, and converted errors into scores.

First Half – Galway Set the Tone

From the throw-in, Galway established an aggressive and well-coordinated press on Dublin’s puckouts. Their setup forced numerous errors, with at least six turnovers coming directly from Dublin’s restarts, particularly along the right flank and central third. These wins formed the bedrock of Galway’s dominance in the opening 35 minutes.

Importantly, Galway’s turnover was not just frequent — they were highly productive. White nodes from the turnover maps indicate that over six of these resulted directly in points, many inside or just outside the D. Their ability to capitalise on turnovers and transition swiftly into scores was central to their early control.

However, the first quarter lacked cohesion on both sides. Strong winds and inconsistent deliveries to inside forwards caused breakdowns in rhythm. Galway’s TJ Brennan, for example, delivered poorly into the inside line during this spell, illustrating some early inaccuracies.

Dublin also appeared disjointed. Their defenders often hit long ball from too deep, bypassing midfield, as seen in multiple sequences.

This lack of structured build-up allowed Galway’s half-back line to sit deeper and intercept, effectively nullifying inside deliveries — a trend evident throughout the first half. Example below by John Bellew where delivery was hit too deep allowing Galway half backs to sit deeper and help with their full back line.

With just two puckout wins from Galway restarts, Dublin failed to capitalise on any turnover momentum. Overall Dublin’s shooting inefficiency also told its own story: just 12 scores from 26 shots from play (46%) seriously hurt their chances of building scoreboard pressure.

While they did manage two points from turnovers, Dublin coughed up multiple wides or lost possession again under contact. Galway’s reading of the game — particularly from leaders like David Burke — allowed them to pressure ball carriers intelligently. Burke’s delivery to Anthony Burns and the link-up with Brian Concannon led to scores in both halves, showcasing Galway’s spatial awareness and decision-making in broken play.

Second Half – Galway’s Control and Defensive Steel

The second half turnover maps reveal Galway’s ability to sustain pressure while defending with greater composure. Once again, they forced multiple turnovers from Dublin puckouts and from general play — with four yellow nodes(puckout turnovers) and multiple red nodes(x’s) clearly highlighted — converting those into a string of scores white nodes(points.)

Their structure was critical. Galway’s middle third operated like a pressing trap, forcing Dublin into rushed decisions. The maroon forwards were consistently first to lose ball or mis-hit clearances, enabling them to dictate the pace of the game. Below is a good example of Galway’s press on a Dublin short puckout. John Fleming shows his marker Conor Donohue down the line creating a defensive trap between 45/65-meter line.

Fleming stays goal side and turns the Dublin defender, Cathal Mannion doubles up and creates a turnover high up the pitch which leads to score for Galway.

From play, Galway’s top three scorers — Brian Concannon (0-5), Tom Monaghan (0-4), and Conor Whelan — helped rack up a total of 43 shots, with 29 scores (67% accuracy). This efficiency was particularly impressive given the breezy conditions. While Kilkenny’s defence in the upcoming Leinster final is unlikely to allow such freedom and apply more pressure on those shots from the middle third, Galway’s improvement in shot creation and conversion is clear. Since the Offaly match, their forward unit has developed into a collective that wins ball high and transitions it efficiently. This was despite Cathal Mannion not scoring from play.

Defensively, Galway remained resolute. The black nodes in front of their goal area show at least four shots blocked during Dublin attacks — a testament to the bravery and anticipation of the Galway full-back line, particularly Fintan Burke, Daithí Burke, and Pádraic Mannion. The tight confines of Parnell Park seemed to suit them well.

Despite Dublin increasing their turnover activity, Galway’s organisation held firm. Even when Dublin broke through, they met a wall of maroon jerseys. The timing and execution of blocks were often as crucial as scores at the other end, with both sub Jack Grealish and Padraig Mannion making notable blocks — denying Dublin any meaningful second-half momentum.

Conclusion

This turnover analysis underscores why Galway were fully deserving of victory. Post-match possession stats reveal that Galway turned over just 42% of their possessions, compared to Dublin’s 57% — a stark indicator of the latter’s struggles with build-up play, decision-making, and structure.

Galway’s superior pressure on puckouts, swift transitions, and scoring efficiency overwhelmed Dublin’s system. Just as significant was their defensive response — particularly shot-blocking — which denied Dublin any realistic route back into the game.

Although Dublin improved after the interval and converted more turnovers into points, they continued to falter in front of goal. Galway, by contrast, operated with clinical intent, turning defence into attack with clarity and conviction.

The stats confirm it: this was a game decided on score conversion plus turnovers — and Galway dominated both.