Last weekend proved to be an unsuccessful one all around for Galway teams. The footballers lost to Mayo to end their Championship and the hurlers lost to Kilkenny in the Leinster final. However, unlike the footballers, the hurlers have a chance to redeem themselves. They come up against the holders Tipperary on Saturday afternoon for a place in the semi-final.
Galwaybayfm preview – Sean Walsh, Niall Canavan, and Cyril Donnellan look ahead to this Saturday’s All Ireland Hurling Quarter Final between Galway and Tipperary, while Darren Kelly gets the views of Galway forward Cathal Mannion
Before last weekend, Galway were many people’s top pick to go on and win the Championship. But, a cracking Leinster final saw Brian Cody’s Kilkenny turn the tide on that opinion.
The Connacht side started quicker and their stars were soon in full stride. Kilkenny were always in touch though because of sloppy fouling in the Galway defence. The score of the first half was arguably in the 22nd minute. Joe Canning lined up a sideline ball and when many probably expected him to shoot, he instead decided to pick out the run of Joseph Cooney. Cooney never even had to break stride to collect the sliotar and was left with an easy flick over the bar from the 45. Yet, Galway still only took a one-point lead into the break.
By the 55th minute, Galway looked ready to put Kilkenny to bed. They had a five-point lead and were on top of the Cats all over. Then, impact sub Richie Hogan produced one of the most delicious goals you’ll ever see on a hurling field. A deft touch killed the long ball, a silky flick put it around the keeper, and in the blink of an eye he was flicking it over his shoulder and into the empty Galway net without ever touching it with his hand.
Galway looked baffled and Kilkenny knew it. In the very next play, the same man delivered an assist for TJ Reid. Reid rattled the Galway net for another sucker punch that flipped the game in Kilkenny’s favour.
Despite Galway taking the lead again, Kilkenny were given a new lease of life from Hogan’s majors. As a result, they had more to give going down the stretch and took a two-point win straight into the semi-final.
The loss is a big one for Galway who find themselves with an uphill battle to win the Championship despite not playing badly. After a disappointing year last year, the pressure is on for the 2017 Champions to fulfill their potential.
Tipperary didn’t look their efficient best against Limerick but a win over Cork leaves them on an upward curve.
What’s even more rewarding is that they had to earn the victory. The rebels provided a stern test and the holders had to shake the hangover from their defeat to Limerick quickly. 12 first-half wides was cause for concern for Tipperary fans.
Still, there was always the sense that a goal could see Tipperary out the gate in this game and thankfully for them, it came. Jason Forde provided after a Jake Morris assist. Next, it was Morris’ turn and he got a late goal of his own to down the Cork challenge.
Other teams in the Championship will be rejoicing at this fixture as they are guaranteed to lose a big contender here.
The game is live on RTÉ on Saturday afternoon.
Paddy Power put Tipperary at slight 10/11 favourites. Galway are 11/10 and a draw is 9/1.
Prediction: Tipperary. This game is as much a mental one for Galway as it will be physical after that loss to Kilkenny. In addition to that, Tipperary have proved themselves capable of a back-door win already. Extra-time is highly likely too.
Team News
Galway : Eanna Murphy; Aidan Harte, Daithi Burke, Shane Cooney; Fintan Burke, Gearoid McInerney, Joseph Cooney; Padraic Mannion, Johnny Coen; Joe Canning, Cathal Mannion, David Burke; Brian Concannon, Conor Cooney, Conor Whelan.
Tipperary: Brian Hogan; Cathal Barrett, Ronan Maher, Alan Flynn; Niall O’Meara, Brendan Maher, Padraic Maher; Noel McGrath, Michael Breen; Dan McCormack, John McGrath, Patrick Maher; Jason Forde, Seamus Callanan, Jake Morris.
All-Ireland Hurling Quarter FIanl: Galway vs Tipperary, Saturday, 21st November, 13:15 (LIT Gaelic Grounds).
All Ireland Senior Hurling Quarter Final Details
Galway v. Tipperary
📍 LIT Gaelic Grounds
📅 Saturday 21st November
⏰ 1:15 pm
📺 Live on RTE2 pic.twitter.com/lmkWJUwzyV— Galway GAA (@Galway_GAA) November 16, 2020
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