Galway stand firm and tall in head-melting cauldron

Galway’s cry for justice proved the loudest in an awe-inspiring All-Ireland semi-final that should live long in the memories of the 58,495 in attendance.

Tipperary had their own protestors but they were few and far between. In Seamus Callanan, they not only had a potential saviour, but a victim after he had been brought down and injured for a penalty by Johnny Hanbury with a tackle straight out of International Rules’ darkest days. After proving “virtually unmarkable” as Anthony Cunningham admitted, desperate measures were required.

In Noel McGrath, making his first appearance in county colours after being diagnosed with testicular cancer last April, Tipperary had another worthy candidate who appeared to serve up the poetic kind of righteousness when he put them ahead in the 70th minute.