Sun July 8 - Senior Hurling: Tipperary v Galway

Galway 1-19 Tipperary 0-23

Tipperary and Galway played a thrilling game of hurling with Galway threatening to undo Tipp’s winning record this season.  The Tribesmen made up for a slow start and led mid-way through the second half.  Tipp, however, were not to be undone and a last minute score from substitute Dean Coleman claimed the points.

Seanie McGarr tries to clear for Tipperary. 

At the half it was Galway who held a one goal edge.  Tipperary got out of the blocks fast and rattled off 6 points to Galway’s one before the game was 10 minutes old.  Joe Coleman was firing the frees over, and Russell Quirke and Shane Bennett chipped in with a score each.  A goal lifted Galway spirits and the Tribesmen started to gain a foothold in their own half back line.

Enda Feeney netted to pull Galway within two points and the tide began to turn.  With Galway winning the battle in the half back line the forwards had plenty of supply to work with.  Aidan Helebert was on the mark with frees and fine effort from his own half back line added to the Galway rally.  Each side vied for the initiative, Joe O’Connor put a beautiful point over the bar from a tight angle and was matched by an equally fine effort from Helebert.  Oisin Donnellan sparked to life in the final minutes of the half with a brace and at the half it was a 1-12 to 0-12 Galway lead.

The second half opened with each team putting 4 unanswered points over each.  First was Galway opening a 7-point lead.  Helebert and Jack Lyons hit the mark for Galway, then it was the turn of Tipperary to go on a spurt with Coleman putting well-earned frees over the bar.  Galway almost netted a second time, Adam Kenny was in but after side-stepping the keeper, his one handed shot was blocked by Sean McGarr who covered well.

It was a tough contest between Galway 

and Tipperary in Canton.

The next phase of the game saw Tipp pull even.  Jerry O’Neill was on top at center back as the pendelum swung back in favor of the Premier county.  Kieran Bennett, Coleman, and James Maher pointed, and the equalizer came from substitute Dean Coleman.  It was all to play for now.  Oisin Donnellan edged Galway back in front, but it was Tipp who would pull it out in the end.  Coleman was to play a part.  The Limerick man leveled the scores, before Shane Bennett put Tipp one up.  Helebert evened it up with a long one in injury time.  The next score would win it and Coleman put what turned out to be the winner over the bar, as a long distance free for the last puck of the game from Helebert fell just short, and Tipp continue their winning streak and sit on top of the table with full points.

Galway:  John Moylan, Calum Lyons, Tervor Lee, James Kinsella, Shane O’Gorman, Brendan Furlong, Frank McCormack, Ryan Garry, Adam Kenny, Aidan Helebert, Oisin Donnellan, Enda Feeney, Jack Lyons.

Tipp:  Evan Condon, Harry O’Connor, Sean McGarr, Kieran Bennett, Jerry O’Neill, John Kindregan, James Maher, Simon Kennedy, Shane Bennett, Joe Coleman, Darrren O’Donovan, Joe O’Connor, Russell Quirke.

By Rory O'Donnell