Late Tipp rally comes up short to Galway in Masters All-Ireland

GAA: Gaelic Masters Association All-Ireland Hurling Final

Galway 1-16

Tipperary 0-16

Report: Liam Hogan at Kenny Park, Athenry

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Ger Farragher (Galway)

SCORERS - Galway: Ger Farragher 0-6 (3 frees, 1'65); Eanna Ryan 0-3; George Hanley 1-0; Niall Healy 0-2 (1 free); Kevin Hynes, Declan McEvoy, Fergal Healy, Niall Callanan, David Donohue 0-1 each.

Tipperary: Pat Shortt 0-6 (4 frees, 1'65); Eoin Brislane 0-3 frees; Lar Corbett, Ronon O'Brien 0-2 each; David Young, John Hassett, Tommy Connors 0-1 each.

Tipperary’s bid for three-in-a-row of All-Ireland Masters Hurling titles, and their ninth in all, came undone in losing to Galway in an exciting and well contested final played last Saturday afternoon in front of a fine size and appreciative crowd.

Having trailed by eight points at half time, Tipp came good in the second half, especially in the last ten minutes when Galway were down to fourteen men, as their spirited comeback brought them within two points.

However, David Donohue’s point in the fifth minute of added time stretched the margin out to three. There was one last effort by Tipp as Eoin Brislane’s twenty-three metre free from an acute angle was blasted wide and Galway survived.

Galway’s third title, and first since 2006, was aided by sheer determination. They led from start to finish. Playing with the aid of a very strong breeze in the first half, Declan McEvoy’s goal in the 20th minute put them seven clear at 1-9 to 0-5.

With many recognisable stars leading the way in the likes Ger Farragher, Eanna Ryan, Fergal Healy, Kevin Hynes, and Fergal Moore, the westerners continued to play on the front foot and led 1-12 to 0-7 at half time.

Lining out without the club-tied Paul Curran, Tipperary hurled better in the second half with the backline of Declan Fanning, Cathal Gleeson, Derek Horan, Shane McGrath (second game in 24 hours) and Orrie Quirke helping enormously.

Up front, both Ronan O’Brien and Lar Corbett picked off good scores while Pat Shortt was reliable on frees and when Galway lost Andy Coen to a red card, they really piled on the pressure. Owen Shortt missed the chance of a goal as he failed to adjust his feet in time. However, Galway had done enough and held out for a great win.

The hot sunshine of the last few weeks was notably absent with cloud increasing by the minute and a heavy drizzle fell during the final ten minutes of the game.

Beforehand, there was a minute’s silence observed for the late Michael McCarthy, Cappawhite who passed away on July 21. Michael or Mikey was father to Michael, the former Cappawhite hurling manager and liaison officer with the master’s team.

Similar to all games in the Master’s championship, the subs roll on roll off rule applied and was evident almost from the start.

Galway had two points on the board inside the opening two minutes, the first from long range by centre back Kevin Hynes followed by Ger Farragher from play.

Goalkeeper Eoin Brislane commenced the scoring for Tipp with a long range free in the fourth minute. One minute later, he was in action again when the ball slipped from his grasp when Kevin Hynes long delivery forced a 65 which Ger Farragher converted.

In the sixth minute, Brislane replied with his second long range free but Galway took over with five unanswered points through Farragher (free), Declan McEvoy, Fergal Healy, and Niall Callanan before Farragher added another point.

Pat Shortt was called in for David Young -who had sustained a head injury - and the former scored the resulting free. However, Eanna Ryan responded with a point but Tipp managed to stay in the frame with quick points through Lar Corbett and John Hassett had them four in arrears.

However, their surge soon fell apart in the 20th minute when the Tipp backline failed to clear and George Hanley fired past a helpless Eoin Brislane.

A foul on Lar Corbett saw Pat Shortt reduce the arrears but there was no let up by Galway. Lengthy deliveries by Kevin Hynes and Andy Coen kept their attack focussed and quick ball saw Eanna Ryan double his account quickly followed by a Niall Healy score.

The subs continued to enter the fray and Ronan O’Brien obliged with a point but Eanna Ryan had the last say when he made it Galway 1-12 Tipp 0-7 at break time.

Tipp hit the ground running with three points inside four minutes through Pat Shortt (free) with substitute Tommy Connors and Lar Corbett adding a point each from play. A Farragher free in the 40th minute kept the Galway supporters happy but Ronan O’Brien replied for Tipp three minutes later.

Tipp were beginning to get on terms but Galway can thank Tony Og O’Regan for his ever present defensive work and Tipp, despite their great work in defence through Horan, Gleeson, Gohery and Fanning went thirteen minutes without a score between the 43rd & 56th minutes.

Meanwhile Ger Farragher and Niall Healy kept Galway above water with two frees. Things looked good for Galway but in the 51st minute they came under pressure when they lost Andy Coen to a red card.

Tipp took advantage and the extra man was a benefit. Pat Shortt pointed a 65, quickly followed by David Young score from play. Shortt added another free in the 59th minute and further Tipp pressure had them within two when Brislane came up field to convert his third free.

The next score would be vital and deep into added time Galway created space on the wing with David Donohue scoring.

Tipp came looking for an equalising goal. They had one more chance but Eoin Brislane’s free drifted wide. Game over. Galway were worthy winners!

TEAMS - Galway: Ciaran Dolan (Sarsfields); Michael Broderick (Cappataggle), Paul Plower (Kilconieron), Eamon Cleary (Sarsfields); Fergal Moore (Turloughmore), Kevin Hynes (Sarsfields), Andy Coen (Tynagh-Abbey Duniry); Brian Hartnett (Castlegar), Ger Farragher (Castlegar); Declan McEvoy (Meelick-Eyrecourt), Niall Callanan (Craughwell), Joe Gantly (Beagh); Eanna Ryan (Killimordaly), Fergal Healy (Craughwell), Finian Coone (Mullagh).

Subs used: Niall Healy (Kilconieron), David McDonagh (Turloughmore), Thomas Tierney (Kilnadeema-Leitrim), Tony Og Regan (Rahoon-Newcastle), David Donoghue (Cappataggle), Enda Collins (Clarinbridge), George Hanley (Carnmore).

Tipperary: Eoin Brislane (Toomevara); Ciaran Ryan (Cappawhite), Declan Fanning (Killenaule), Graham Gohery (Knockshegowna); Cathal Gleeson (Silvermines), Tommy Collins (Ballina), Derek Horan (Shannon Rovers); Shane McGrath (Ballinahinch), Orrie Quirke (Silvermines); John Hassett (Moyne-Templetuohy), Niall Curran (Silvermines), David Young (Toomevara); Shane Stapleton (Golden Kilfeacle), Matthew Stapleton (Borris-Ileigh), Lar Corbett (Thurles Sarsfields).

Subs used: Ronan O’Brien (Eire Og Annacarty/D), Stephen Lillis (Thurles Sarsfields), Pat Shortt (Upperchurch/Drombane), Owen Shortt (Upperchurch/Drombane),

Referee: Jarlath Donnellan (Clare).