Galway salvage pride with defeat of Tipperary

Galway 2-15 Tipperary 1-10

In a game that never reached the same heights of the drawn one a fortnight ago, there was never any doubt about the outcome after Justin Campbell blasted home his side's second goal just on the stroke of half-time.

Stung by the shattering defeat in the Under-21 final, the westerners were clearly in determined mood not to suffer a second All-Ireland defeat in a week, and while Tipperary stayed in contention for most of the first half, they could never match the hunger of the Galway side who took complete control on the changeover to run out comfortable winners.

Galway coach Vincent Mullins heaped praise on his charges and said the victory would do much for the morale of hurling followers in the county.

"After what happened last Sunday, all week I thought it would be impossible to lift the heads of this team, but fair play to the intermediate players, they rallied round the Under-21s and I'm absolutely thrilled for all involved at winning," he said.

"Players like Conor Dervan deserve their All-Ireland medal. He was injured all week and I thought he wouldn't be fit, but he wanted to play and he had a blinder for us at centre-back.

"I'm delighted also for Kevin Brady. He was another of the Under-21s who took a lot of stick after last week's defeat, but he must have covered every inch of the pitch out there today and is my man of the match. He's absolute genius.

"Given the rumours that Declan Browne would be playing, I was a bit concerned coming down, but the commitments of our lads was fantastic and while taking nothing away from Tipp they are a fine team there was really only one team in for the second half. I sincerely hope we have restored some pride to Galway hurling after last Sunday's defeat.

"Our game plan going into today's replay was to get in front early, and while it took us 29 minutes of the opening half to lead for the first time, when Campbell's goal went in it gave us a four-point half-time cushion.

"After the interval I felt that with Tipperary chasing the game we had a great chance and that's how it worked out."

Team captain Shane McClearn said the victory was just what the county needed after the Under-21 defeat. "The intermediate grade is often criticised for not being important, but to everyone of our lads out there today it was a great championship to win.

"Today's victory is certain to bring guys on and there are at least half a dozen players who in my view, deserve their chance at senior level next

season".

In near perfect conditions for hurling, the game got off to a lively start with again no quarter being asked or given. Tipp go the perfect start with a Simon Everard goal after three minutes, but Galway were back for a like score from Benny Lawless three minutes and over the next 25, the sides were level three more times before Justin Campbell's goal edged Galway 2-6 to 1-5 in front at the break.

Inexplicably, Tipperary faded completely on the changeover as Galway, inspired by the brilliance of Kevin Brady, lorded it in most sectors of the field, and with Brian Cunningham again giving an exhibition of points scoring from placed balls, they went on to win handsomely.

Tipp team coach Liam Sheedy was at a loss to explain his side's second half collapse. "I felt it was going to be our day when Simon goaled so early in the game, but we weren't quite firing while Galway were, and fair dues to them they deserved their victory.

"The crucial period was the couple of minutes coming up to half-time when we looked to be going in just a point down after playing against the breeze, but in the space of two minutes they scored 1-2 without replay and we were always chasing the game after that."

Not even the introduction of Declan Browne who almost single-handidly beat Galway in the final at the same venue two years, he scored 2-10 that day could pull the game out of the fire for Tipp on this occasion.

Scorers Galway: B. Cunningham 0-9 (frees); B. Lawless, J. Campbell 1-0 each; C. Ryan, Aidan Diviney, K. Brady 0-2 each. Tipperary: S. Everard 1-2; B. Hogan 0-3 (0-2 frees); P. Buckley, G. Maguire, Shane Maher, Sean Maher, C. Ryan 0-1 each.

GALWAY: N. Murphy; S. McClearn, T. Óg Regan, R. Fahy; E. Tannian, C. Dervan, Adrian Diviney; Justin Connelly, G. Glynn; B. Cunningham, J. Campbell, K. Brady; C. Ryan, J. Conroy, B. Lawless; Subs. Aidan Diviney for Donnelly; K. Burke for Lawless; D. Hayes for Tannian; J. Gantley for Glynn; R. Reilly for Adrian Diviney.

TIPPERARY: F. Horgan; G. Griffin, M. Peters, B. Gaynor; C. Ryan, C. Morrisey, C. Everard; Shane Maher, B. Stritch; B. Hogan, J. Teehan, P. Buckley; G,. Maguire, D. Hackett, S. Everard; Subs. T. Connors for Hackett; Sean Maher for Teehan; D. Browne for Buckley; P. Morrissey for Hogan.

Referee, E. Morris (Dublin).