Tipperary goalie Barry Hogan gets the ball away to safety. Photograph: Bridget Delaney

Tipp show their true colours to set-up rematch with Cork

Tipperary 3-17

Galway 1-17

 

A win that was unexpected as it was timely!

Sadly, the tendency at the moment in the GAA when reacting to a single defeat is akin to the sky falling in and after Tipperary's poor performance in the loss to Cork in the Munster Final, they were written off in many quarters ahead of this All Ireland semi-final, particularly in this county.

However, as Galway captain Fintan Burke (outstanding on the evening) said in advance, beware of the wounded Tipperary animal and that is how it proved as the Premier County showed its proud hurling spirit was still alive and well to bounce back and reach a first All Ireland Under 21 final in eight years.

The majority of the under 21 panel has enjoyed great success at minor and schools level up along and their performance in the loss to an admittedly fine Cork side was out of character and there was never any doubt that there would be a positive response from them.

But taking down a strong Galway side was going to be a tough ask and to do so the Tipperary management made some big calls, with no fewer than five changes made from the side which started in the Munster Final. It was a brave and risky move to make so many changes but one that was ultimately rewarded as got their set-up just right, while also bringing the right blend of workrate and desire which was surprisingly missing in the provincial final.

 

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