Gallant Galway minor hurlers just come up in All-Ireland semi-final thriller

Galway 3-20

FOR the first time in six years Galway won’t have a minor hurling team in the All-Ireland final, but that is almost inconsequential in the context of what we saw in this epic semi-final at the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday.

In a contender for hurling match of the year, Galway went toe-to-toe with Tipperary in a compelling struggle for supremacy which saw two high-quality teams provide an exhibition of the sport’s finer arts.

In the end, the better balanced and physically stronger Munster champions just about got the job done in a thrilling climax as Tipperary snatched victory from the jaws of defeat by scoring a goal and two points in stoppage time.

But these young Galway players were carried out on their shield. Led by their twin assassins up front – the gifted Aaron Niland, who scored a staggering 2-11, and Rory Burke – the boys in maroon couldn’t have done much more. It was just that Tipperary possessed more game-breakers and a greater spread of scorers.

Only five Galway players featured on the scoreboard compared to 10 for Tipperary, including substitute Senan Butler, who finally sealed the deal for the blue and gold with a goal from point-blank range in the 64th minute after taking a pass from outstanding full-forward Tom Delaney.

In a semi-final in which the teams were level nine times, Galway can’t quibble too much with the outcome. They enjoyed a free count of 15 to 5 in their favour, while they were also rescued on several occasions by goalkeeper Donagh Fahy who made a series of great saves.

For more, read this week’s Galway CityTribune.

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