Senior Hurling: Tipperary v Galway

Tipperary 0-17 Galway 0-26

Galway underlined their championship credentials with and claimed top spot in the table with a fairly comprehensive win against Tipperary in the senior hurling championship.  Galway were always that little bit in front and put on a clinical display of crisp hurling and pinpoint marksmanship.   Corkmen Jamie Coughlin at corner forward, and Mark Ellis at center back were on form and with a man advantage for the second half, the Tribesmen pressed home the advantage.

Pat Ryan breaks away for Tipp.  

Galway took the break three points to the good after a high scoring, physical opening 30 minutes.  It was an evenly contested affair, though Galway had the edge with their sharpshooting forward line while Tipp put several good opportunities wide of the posts.  Jamie Coughlin was on form at corner forward and tallied several of the Tribesmen’s scores.  Pa White in the opposite corner and Kevin Kenny were also on the mark. 

Tipperary had Cian Lynch to count on, the Limerick man accounted for a number of Tipp scores.  The Premier men, however missed several chances to keep the scores closer, and with the half time whistle minutes away lost the services of Cronin Dempsey following an off the ball challenge on Padraig O’Leary.  Twelve points to nine for Galway at the break.

Galway used the extra man well and throughout the second half were seldom under pressure.  The westerners were able to clear the ball at ease, and slowly but surely, with each score, pulled away from their opponents.  Coughlin was a sure thing from play of the dead ball and hardly had a miss to his name while at the back Mark Ellis, Dan Lorden and Hugh Lawler were largely in control of affairs. 

Tommy Heffernan weighs his options.

A bit of chippiness set in coming into the final quarter, and cards were necessary to calm things down.  Tipp, who had to make the most of every chance that came their way, had a couple of half chances at goal that whizzed over the bar, and a handful of opportunities from farther out the field that drifted wide.  Galway, however, clicked away with effortless efficiency, and clearances from inside their 45 meter line continued to find their men, resulting in scores.  By the end of the day it was a nine point win for Galway who are in pole position for the automatic final place.

Tipp:  J. Maher, S. McGarr, M. Carey, B. Troy, A. Ryan, S. Nally, P. Ryan, C. Dempsey, C. Ryan, M. Kavanagh, C. Lynch, T. Heffernan, B. Nash.  Galway:  j. Loftus, D. Quirke, C. Daly, D. Lorden, M. Ellis, H. Lawlor, N. Mullins, R. Fitzpatrick, D. Murray, P. O’Leary, K. Kenny, J. Coughlin, P. White.

By Rory O'Donnell