This was a match that seemed out of time in these nothing days of February. An exhibition of attacking football and sweet point-kicking from two teams seeking to preserve unbeaten runs, it promises another bright summer for the westerners.
That Galway came through in Ballinasloe hints at their tremendous depth. This was an accomplished performance by a largely experimental side that stayed true to the county's preference for attractive, first-time football.
Tyrone travelled south with an appetite and fearlessness that has characterised their energetic campaign to date, but came undone in a lean 20-minute period after half-time when they were left scoreless.
For all that, they were still sniffing a result as late as injury time. Had Pascal Canavan's low shot not thundered against the post after 42 minutes, Tyrone might remain unbeaten today. But it was a worthwhile test for two counties who might well feature in the play-off stages of this competition.
"Very pleased to get the points and with the way we worked together as a team," summarised Galway manager John O'Mahony afterwards. "I think what made the difference for us was that we upped it slightly in the second half against the wind. It was a good game and, I think, one that showed that this young Tyrone team have a lot to look forward to. But yes, we are happy."
And with good reason. If Paul Clancy has had a better afternoon in maroon, then that must have been something sensational. The Moycullen forward unveiled the full array of his skills yesterday, mixing three beautiful strikes from play with tireless grafting and brilliant inter-play with Galway's sweeping half-back line.
Near flawless as his game was, he was nonetheless marginally out-played by Michael Donnellan, who has to be the best thing about Gaelic football at present.
Lining out at midfield, Donnellan broke bucket loads of ball and orchestrated the Galway attack with those fiercely driven, probing balls that have become his trademark. As compelling as Donnellan is on the ball, it is his work-rate in defence that continues to astonish. One cameo deep in the second half, when he chased into the heart of his own defence to cut off a dangerous pass, drew a standing ovation from the stand. It was no more than his magnificence deserved.
Padraig Joyce was as exemplary as ever and young Kieran Comer put in a mature and polished 70 minutes at centre forward, but elsewhere the home team was stretched.
Tyrone played most of their best football in the first half. Central to most of their profitable moves was the bustling Kevin Hughes, who was named as a late starter for the injured Stephen O'Neill. Although the former under-age prodigy ran out of steam at the close, he provided the piston for Tyrone's skilful if slender attack lines. Trailing by 0-2 to 0-5 after 17 minutes, a low ball from Hughes was met by Peter Canavan, who threaded the ball goalward with a diving, fisted shot.
That goal inspired Tyrone's finest period, with Eoin Gormley coasting along the sideline before fisting a point and Canavan adding another after 23 minutes to leave the team 1-4 to 0-5 to the good.
Canavan, unsurprisingly, proved tricky enough to merit several Galway defensive switches over the game and Eoin Gormley established himself as a lethal threat.
But both figures grew increasingly isolated as Galway began to build on their 0-11 to 1-6 half-time lead. Their simplicity and directness contrasted starkly with Tyrone's pass-laden style. Donnellan, Joyce and Savage combined for the first point after the restart. Tommy Joyce, Clancy and Padraig Joyce teamed up for the next score and there was an easy fluidity to the home team's attack that suggested they couldn't be caught. So it was. Tyrone stayed in touch with admirable if occasional attacks - Cormac McAnallen floated a great point after 56 minutes and Gormley followed suit three minutes later.
But the home team had too many options. John Donnellan bustled on to an Enda Colleran pass and hammered home the team's 15th point after 50 minutes.
As a shoot-out, this contest went wayward at the close, but the home crowd left bubbling. As these games go, there was little to complain about.
GALWAY: P Lally; K Fitzgerald, G Fahey, R Fahey; D Meehan, T Joyce, S de Paor; J Bergin (0-2), M Donnellan (0-1); P Clancy (0-3), K Comer (0-1), L Colleran; D Savage (0-2), P Joyce (0-7, five frees), J Donnellan (0-2, one free). Sub: M Comer for K Fitzgerald (halftime).
TYRONE: F McConnell; M McGee, C Lawn, C Gourley; R McMenamin, S Teague, D McCrossan; C McAnallen (0-1), P Canavan; C Holmes, K Hughes (0-1), G Cavlan (0-2); E Mulligan, E Gormley (0-5, one free), P Canavan (1-4, two frees). Subs: McGinley for D McCrossan (46 mins), D Gormley for C Lawn (51 mins), K McBride for K Hughes (61 mins), J Campbell for E Mulligan (70 mins).
