Tipperary 2-16 Galway 1-14
TIPPERARY WILL FACE Dublin in the All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship Final after comfortably disposing of Galway at Croke Park today.
The Tribesmen put up a fierce challenge to William Maher’s men in the first half as the lead exchanged hands on several occasions.
A Jack McGrath free edged his side ahead at the break and Tipperary upped the pace in relentless fashion in the second-half to ultimately win by five points.
They were indebted to Mark McCarthy, who scored a wonderful goal after selling a dummied pass, and to Galway captain Paul Killeen.
The Tynagh-Abbey-Duniry club-man received two bookings to end his involvement in the game with 15 minutes remaining.
Early lead
Galway led by four points in the early stages of the match following an opening point from Brian Molloy and a lashed goal from the hurl of Jason Flynn.
Tipperary chipped away at the lead and hit the front when Stephen Cahill showed great determination to get a flick onto a Barry Heffernan punt for a crucial goal.
McGrath and Ronan O’Meara traded scores for their teams but Tipperary were looking the most dangerous, spurning two good sighters at goal.
It was nip and tuck again as the second-half got underway. Just two minutes after a McGrath free had edged Tipp in front McCarthy stepped up with his decisive score.
The Toomevara man outfoxed the Galway defence and rifled in a left-handed score from 13 yards out to make it 2-10 to 1-09.
Galway got three points back, through Jason Flynn, Cathal Mannion and Darragh Dolan scores, but Tipperary hit back with two long-range points.
Killeen then received his marching orders for dragging back his man. Tipp soon made the extra man work in their advantage, pointing through McGrath and Sean Maher.
Owen Treacy came close to getting a goal back for Galway, only to be denied by Paul Maher’s excellent save and the final score, coming from substitute Aidan Higgins, was scant consolation.
Scorers for Tipperary: John McGrath 0-7 (0-3f, 0-2 ’65), Stephen Cahill 1-2, Mark McCarthy 1-1, Sean Maher 0-2, Tom Fox, Barry Heffernan 0-1 each.
Scorers for Galway: Jason Flynn 1-1, Darragh Dolan, Brian Molloy (0-3f) 0-4 each, Ronan O’Meara 0-3, Cathal Mannion, Aidan Higgins 0-1 each.
TIPPERARY: Paul Maher (Moyne-Templetuohy); Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields), Michael Breen (Ballina), Jack Peters (Kilruane McDonagh’s); Tom Fox (Éire Óg Annacarty), Thomas Hamill (Killea), Barry Heffernan (Éire Óg Nenagh); Bill Maher (Kilsheelan-Kilcash), John McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney); Tadhg Gallagher (Kildangan), Jack Shelly (Mullinahone), Steven O’Brien (Ballina); Stephen Cahill (Thurles Sarsfields), Kevin Slattery (Gortnahoe-Glengoole), Mark McCarthy (Toomevara).
GALWAY: Mike O’Conghaile (Michael Breathnachs), Daragh O’Donoghue (Kilnadeema-Leitrim), Paul Killeen (Tynagh-Abbey-Duniry), Eanna Burke (St Thomas); Shane Caulfield (Kilconieron), Sean Sweeney (Loughrea), Barry Keane (Clarinbridge); Sean Collins (Ballindereen), Cathal Mannion (Ahascragh-Fohenagh); Brian Murtagh (Ardrahan), Daragh Dolan (Cappataggle), Jason Flynn (Tommie Larkins); Ronan O’Meara (Portumna), Michael Mullins (Gort), Brian Molloy (Kilnadeema-Leitrim).
