All-Ireland SHC: Tipperary cruise to victory

All-Ireland SHC Quarter-Final

Tipperary 1-28 Galway 2-17

By Cian O'Connell at TUS Gaelic Grounds

Forging a connection between the Tipperary team and supporters was one of Liam Cahill's missions in 2025.

That is certainly being accomplished. An intriguing All-Ireland SHC Semi-Final against Kilkenny now beckons for a blue and gold outfit gathering momentum.

Before referee Seán Stack threw in the sliotar in Limerick, the fabled TIPP, TIPP, TIPP chat suggested that the Premier County were firmly behind their hurlers.

A gutsy Munster Championship campaign illustrated Tipp's potential. From early on, it was clear that Tipp were primed for another battle.

Despite heroic efforts from Darren Morrissey and Cathal Mannion, Galway couldn't adequately cope with Tipp.

The early signs were ominous. John McGrath and Jason Forde were dovetailing nicely inside. Jake Morris craved involvement, while Andrew Ormond was industrious and influential.

At the opposite end of the field the Tipperary backline was extremely solid. Apart from Mannion and flickers from Colm Molloy, Micheál Donoghue's charges couldn't get enough joy to generate real momentum.

Initially, Galway edged 0-3 to 0-2 ahead before Tipp launched five points on the spin. Ormond levelled matters in the eighth minute prior to a delicious Forde sideline cut.

Forde, McGrath, and Morris added further scores as Tipp were motoring smoothly. Mannion's free-taking prowess kept Galway in the contest, but Tipp eventually went in armed with a 0-16 to 0-11 advantage at the break.

Morris put Tipp six clear after the restart, but then Galway received an injection of hope. Mannion nailed a free and Molloy rifled a 40th minute goal following a Conor Cooney pass.

Suddenly, the deficit was trimmed to two. Tipp weren't perturbed, reeling off six points on the spin. Galway squandered plenty of chances during that spell as Tipp moved 0-23 to 1-12 in front.

Galway substitute Tom Monaghan clipped a couple of points, but Tipperary had replacements of their own heavily involved.

Two of them, Noel McGrath and Oisín O'Donoghue, combined for the insurance goal with 11 minutes remaining. McGrath's shrewd delivery located O'Donoghue, who made the Galway net dance.

From then until the finish it lacked suspense or drama which scarcely bothered Cahill. Galway's Declan McLoughlin grabbed a consolation goal deep into additional time, but by then sufficient Tipperary damage had been inflicted.

Tipperary head for GAA headquarters heartened.

Scorers for Tipperary: Jason Forde 0-7 (1f, 2 sidelines), Jake Morris and Andrew Ormond 0-5 each, Oisín O'Donoghue 1-0, John McGrath and Darragh McCarthy (3fs) 0-3 each, Darragh Stakelum 0-2, Sam O'Farrell, Willie Connors, and Noel McGrath 0-1 each.

Scorers for Galway: Cathal Mannion 0-13 (9fs, 2 65s), Colm Molloy and Declan McLoughlin 1-0 each, Tom Monaghan 0-2, Conor Cooney and Conor Whelan 0-1 each.

Tipperary: Rhys Shelly; Robert Doyle, Bryan O'Mara; Craig Morgan, Eoghan Connolly, Ronan Maher; Willie Connors, Peter McGarry; Sam O'Farrell, Jake Morris, Andrew Ormond; John McGrath, Jason Forde, Darragh McCarthy.

Subs: Darragh Stakelum for McGarry (HT), Noel McGrath for John McGrath (48), Oisín O'Donoghue for McCarthy (52), Conor Stakelum for O'Farrell (59), Séamus Kennedy for Connors (66).

Galway: Darach Fahy; Padraic Mannion, Daithi Burke, Darren Morrissey; Cianan Fany, Gavin Lee, Seán Linnane; Ronan Glennon, David Burke; Conor Whelan, Brian Concannon, Conor Cooney; Kevin Cooney, Cathal Mannion, Colm Molloy.

Subs: TJ Brennan for Linnane (HT), Tom Monaghan for David Burke (50), Declan McLoughlin for Conor Cooney (51), Tiernan Killeen for Kevin Cooney (58), Rory Burke for Glennon (66).

Referee: Seán Stack (Dublin).