Tenacious Tipp hearten Ryan

A first Allianz National Hurling League victory of the season for Tipperary and a first defeat for Galway were the main talking points from a high-scoring encounter at Semple Stadium yesterday.

A tie that was level 14 times was settled by late scores from Johnny Ryan, with his first touch, and Noel McGrath as Tipp edged home by two points in front of 4,951 spectators in Thurles.

It was typical March hurling, error-ridden on a deceptively heavy sod, but Tipperary manager Declan Ryan won’t complain after his charges bounced back from their opening day mauling to Kilkenny in Nowlan Park.