Galway's Pádraic Mannion pictured with the Liam MacCarthy Cup at the All-Ireland Series national launch in Waterford.
By Cian O’Connell
Responding to setbacks is crucial in sport. A Galway hurler since 2015, Pádraic Mannion is hoping that Henry Shefflin’s outfit can recover following a harrowing Leinster SHC Final defeat to Kilkenny.
An All-Ireland SHC Quarter-Final against Tipperary on Saturday evening is a most demanding assignment.
The manner of the Kilkenny loss hurt, but Galway must move on swiftly according to Mannion. “It was very disappointing, obviously we wanted the silverware and that path into the semi-final,” Mannion says.
“Unfortunately that is sport, that is hurling, and that is the way it goes. We just have to pick it up, to go again, and, at least, we are still in the Championship.
“If you can get over a quarter-final, you are back to where you would have been anyway. It is not the end of the world, it is disappointing, but we are still there. We just plough on, like we always do.”
That has been part of Galway’s Championship in 2023. Resilience has been demonstrated, dramatic comebacks launched. Is that something Galway can draw on in the All-Ireland series? “Definitely," Mannion replies instantly.
"If you are in a game you just need to keep going, keep going, keep going, and try to not worry about the score until the end.
“Obviously I'd prefer if we weren't going that far behind too, but there is massive character in this group. We have shown that time after time.
“I'm probably one of the older players now which feels a bit different. You still feel like you are one of the younger lads at times, but there is huge competition with the newer players coming in.
“The team selection has probably been different every day which shows the competition that is there. Henry and the lads are picking on form, it keeps everyone on edge, which is no harm either.”
Galway's Pádraic Mannion in action during the Leinster SHC Final. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
A meaningful connection has been forged between Shefflin’s management team and players. “There is, we are a really tight group,” Mannion says.
“You can see that when things are going against us, we stick at it. That is a sign of a team that is really behind what they are doing. We have a really tight knit group.”
The Ahascragh-Fohenagh clubman is delighted to be representing Galway at the highest level alongside his brother Cathal.
“It is something that I'm personally very proud of to have played for whatever number of years,” Mannion says. “I've never missed a Championship either, it is something I'm definitely proud of myself. You'd love to bring a little bit more success back with the support we have. Hopefully we can do that.
“I have had a few injuries, but maybe just at the right times that they didn't put me out of any games.
“When you're getting a chance to be involved, the Championship games are the ones you want to be involved in. That is what you train for, you just try to enjoy them then. I want to stay at it for as long as I can.
“We absolutely love playing for our club, we've had some unreal memories, Cathal and myself, down through the years from underage, competing with the top teams.
“Probably competing with the top teams gives you a bit of confidence that you can do it against the best players. It is great for the club and great for us that we can represent them. They support us so much, it is great to be able to hopefully give them something back.”
Making an impact in the All-Ireland series is Galway’s objective. “That is the good thing about it, and that is the good thing about hurling - there is always another game to come,” Mannion says.
“It helps to get over a loss like happened in the Leinster Final. It was very disappointing, but we have to react. It is up to us to respond. Hopefully we will be able to do that.”
