Willie Connors, Tipperary, and Kevin Cooney, Galway, in Allianz Hurling League action at Pearse Stadium. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Allianz Hurling League Division 1A
Tipperary 3-25 Galway 2-16
By Cian O’Connell at Pearse Stadium
Following a bitterly disappointing 2024, Tipperary appear ready, willing, and able to respond.
An icy January day in Salthill will not define any campaign, but this was a dynamic display from Liam Cahill’s team, who cruised to the most convincing of wins.
It was a particularly tough day for a youthful Galway panel, who struggled to cope physically against a dominant Tipperary, who simply ruled the match from start to finish.
Despite the demanding weather conditions, Tipperary were still slick in the first half as they departed at the interval armed with a 1-13 to 0-9 advantage.
Liam Cahill’s charges were crafting scoring opportunities with far greater ease than Galway, who were unable to cope with Tipperary’s intensity.
Ronan Maher was a commanding figure at centre back for Tipperary, leading by example, while a lively attack craved involvement.
Gearoid O’Connor and Jake Morris both rifled over two points each in the opening period, with Tipp grabbing an 11th minute goal.
Toomevara forward Darragh McCarthy netted a penalty following a Seán Murphy foul on Dylan Walsh, edging the blue and gold outfit 1-3 to 0-3 clear.
Tipperary were 1-9 to 0-8 ahead, five minutes before the turnaround before they embarked on another important flurry.
McCarthy nailed a couple of frees, while O’Connor and Morris also raised white flags as Tipp converted 1-13 from 25 attempts. Galway, under the stewardship of Micheál Donoghue again, were efficient, clipping 0-9 from 13, but they still trailed by seven.
After the restart, Tipp continued to set the agenda. Galway trailed 1-14 to 0-11 when Tipp reeled off 2-6 without reply in an 11-minute spell.
O’Connor’s opportunism was evident in the 44th minute when the Moyne-Templetuohy clubman mined a goal following Rhys Shelly’s long clearance.
Seven minutes later, the splendid Dylan Walsh collected a sweet Ronan Maher pass before planting a third Tipp goal, steering them 3-18 to 0-11 clear.
In the dying embers Galway replied with consolation goals from substitutes John Fleming and Declan McLoughlin. Sufficient Tipp damage had already been inflicted.
Next week, Galway face Kilkenny away at UPMC Nowlan Park, while a rejuvenated Tipperary, eager to generate momentum, welcome Wexford to FBD Semple Stadium.
Scorers for Tipperary: Darragh McCarthy 1-6 (1-0 pen, 5fs, 165), Dylan Walsh 1-3, Gearoid O’Connor 1-2, Willie Connors and Jake Morris 0-3 each, Sam O’Farrell, Craig Morgan, and Andy Ormond 0-2 each, Ronan Maher and Joe Fogarty 0-1 each.
Scorers for Galway: Rory Burke 0-4 (4fs), John Fleming and Declan McLoughlin 1-0 each, Conor Whelan and Oisín Lohan 0-3 each, Kevin Cooney 0-2 (1 sideline), Cianan Fahy, TJ Brennan, Tom Monaghan, and Liam Collins 0-1 each.
Tipperary: Rhys Shelly; Eoghan Connolly, Michael Breen, Michael Corcoran; Sam O’Farrell, Ronan Maher, Brian McGrath; Willie Connors, Craig Morgan; Alan Tynan, Andy Ormond, Gearoid O’Connor; Darragh McCarthy, Jake Morris, Dylan Walsh.
Subs: Robert Doyle for Corcoran (HT), Conor Bowe for Ormond (52), Seamus Kennedy for Doyle (53-55), Joe Fogarty for Tynan (55), Seamus Kennedy for McGrath (58), Conor Martin for O’Connor (65).
Galway: Éanna Murphy; Jack Grealish, Fintan Burke, Seán Murphy; Michael Garvey, Shane Cooney, TJ Brennan; Cianan Fahy, Donal Ó’Shea; Rory Burke, Tom Monaghan, Oisín Lohan; Liam Collins, Conor Whelan, Kevin Cooney.
Subs: Cillian Whelan for Gavrvey (47), John Fleming for O’Shea (47), Declan McLoughlin for K Cooney (54), Shane Morgan for S Cooney (55), Anthony Burns for Collins (68)
Referee: Colm Lyons (Cork).
