Photograph: Joe O'Shaughnessy

While many people remember the 1953 final which Galway lost narrowly to Cork, few realise just how competitive Galway were in the 1940s and 1950s. Back in those days Galway went straight through to the semi-final and played the Munster or Leinster champions on alternating years. Here are some of the years when the Tribesmen went close:

1944 Lost to Cork in the semi-final by 1 point. Cork easily beat Dublin in the final.
1945 Lost to Kilkenny in the semi-final by 1 point. Tipperary beat Kilkenny in the final.
1947 Lost to Kilkenny in the semi-final by 1 point. Kilkenny beat Cork in the final.
1952 Lost to Cork in the semi-final by 2 points. Cork easily beat Dublin in the final.

Two key players on those Galway teams were the Duggan brothers. Seánie Duggan played in goals while his brother Jimmy was a forward. They were both honoured this week by the National University of Ireland Galway for their contribution to hurling in Galway.

Above is a photo from the front page from the Irish Times on Tuesday which shows that the brothers have not lost their touch (Jimmy is on the left).