Senior Hurling Semi-Final: Galway v Tipperary

Galway 0-21 Tipperary 2-12

Galway made their fifth senior hurling final on the trot by coming through a testing game against a Tipperary side that never gave up.  Galway threatened to put the game out of sight in the first half, but Tipperary hung in and in the second half reduced the gap to two points.  Galway however, rallied when they needed to and came through by three points thanks to some timely scores from John Moylan, Paul Holden, and James Regan.

Splinters fly as Galway and Tipp clash.

A stiff breeze favoured Galway in the first half and the tribesmen capitalized.  There were several scores from distance.  Regan in the middle of the field accounted for a handful of well taken points, Rory Hickey and Holden added to the tally.  Galway had plenty of room to shoot from the middle areas of the field.  Each time Tipperary managed a score, it was answered in kind by Galway as the Premier men could not put back to back points together.  Corner back Niall O’Connor was shown the line with about 20 minutes gone to add to Tipperary’s difficulties.  At the break Galway held a fairly comfortable looking six point lead, 0-13 to 0-7.

Michael Harney controls as Greg Lally awaits.

The second half saw Tipperary draw closer.  A couple of early points, one of which could have been a goal from Kevin O’Brien, narrowed the gap.  Galway got off the mark in the second period with a fine John Moylan point and another from Holden to steady the tribesmen’s ship.  With the difference between the teams at seven points Tipp worked an opening beautifully for Michael Harney to hit the net.  Two Paul Buggy frees made it a two point game as Tipp worked hard to turn the tables, with Cronan Dempsey covering a lot of ground to keep the rally going.

Galway reawakened however.  Moylan, Holden, and a fantastic effort from Regan made it a two score game.  Tipp went looking for goals as time was a factor and eventually one came from the boot of substitute, Mark Kavanagh though the full time whistle beckoned.  Galway had the final say with a Holden free and with that time was up.  Galway through to the final to meet Tom’s in next Sunday’s final, and a chance at a Boston title and North American finals place.

Galway:  J. Skehill, P. Dowling, C. Murphy, S. Phelan, G. Lally, JJ Doyle, J. Regan, O. Floyd, P. Holden, R. Hickey, J. Moylan, T. O’Hanrahan, R. Cummins.  Tipp:  C. Hennessy, N. O’Connor, S. McGarr, S. Nally, P. Flaherty, J. Kindregan, C. Dempsey, R. Sludds, T. Devine, A. McRedmond, J. Kelleher, K. O’Brien, M. Harney.

By Rory O'Donnell