Galway hurling caught a glimpse of the future on a rain-lashed evening at FBD Semple Stadium as a youthful, energetic Tribesmen side put it right up to All-Ireland champions Tipperary, who needed a decisive late surge to secure a five-point opening-round League victory.
While the scoreboard will show a comfortable margin, this was anything but routine for the champions. For long spells Galway matched, and often outplayed, a Tipp side that started with ten of the team that overwhelmed Cork in the second half of last year’s All-Ireland final. Given the gulf in experience between the panels, the visitors’ performance will have pleased management despite the defeat.
Galway signalled their intent immediately, Rory Burke firing over the opening point inside the first minute. Darragh McCarthy replied from a free, but early wides from both McCarthy and debutant Aaron Niland underlined the difficult, greasy conditions. Despite that, the standard of hurling was sharp and Galway looked comfortable, dominating puckouts and possession through the opening quarter.
Points from Burke and Gavin Lee helped Galway establish early control, with John Fleming and Padraic Mannion also prominent as the visitors moved the ball with confidence. Sam O’Farrell kept Tipp ticking over, while captain Jake Morris began to assert himself, but Galway twice edged ahead through scores from Darragh Neary and Mannion.
Jason Rabbitte, working tirelessly on the edge of the square, capped an impressive first-half display by claiming a superb high ball and pointing, showcasing the familiar Rabbitte paw. Galway went toe-to-toe with the champions and would have gone in ahead but for McCarthy’s late frees, which levelled matters at 0-9 apiece at the break.
That interval scoreline arguably flattered Tipp. Galway had registered nine wides to Tipp’s four and were denied a certain goal when Cathal O’Reilly produced a crucial intervention to block Aaron Niland just before half-time. Still, the signs were hugely encouraging for a Galway side featuring debutants Neary and Niland and brimming with youthful enthusiasm.
Tipperary emerged with renewed purpose after the restart, hitting three of the opening four points to edge ahead. Yet Galway refused to wilt. Rabbitte continued to lead the line and his sharp work in the 41st minute created the chance for Rory Burke to bury a well-taken goal, pushing the visitors back in front and raising hopes of a major upset.
The introduction of Cathal Mannion added further bite, and when Fleming struck his third point from play, Galway led by two approaching the final quarter. Rabbitte, Niland and Cillian Trayers all worked tirelessly, while Neary’s contribution around the middle third belied his lack of senior experience.
However, champions find a way, and Tipp’s class eventually told. Morris delivered a captain’s performance, finishing with eight points, five from play, and dragging his side back level. Tempers briefly flared following a high challenge on O’Farrell, resulting in three yellow cards, but Tipp kept their composure when it mattered most.
With the sides deadlocked on 64 minutes, Morris and Andrew Ormond combined to release substitute Darragh Stakelum, who struck the decisive goal that finally opened daylight between the teams. Tipp closed out the game strongly, adding late points to put a flattering sheen on the result.
For Galway, the defeat will sting, but the performance spoke volumes. Against the reigning champions, in punishing conditions and with a raw, inexperienced side, they more than held their own. If this display is any indication, the future of Galway hurling looks bright indeed.
Scorers for Galway: Rory Burke 1-3; John Fleming 0-3; Padraic Mannion, Darragh Neary, Jason Rabbitte, Aaron Niland (2fs ) 0-2 each; Gavin Lee, Colm Molloy 0-1 each.
Tipperary: Rhys Shelly; Cathal O’Reilly, Robert Doyle, Michael Breen; Joe Caesar, Bryan O’Mara, Seamus Kennedy; Willie Connors, Conor Stakelum; Sam O’Farrell, Andrew Ormond, Jake Morris; Darragh McCarthy, Oisin O’Donoghue, Jack Leamy.
Subs: Johnny Ryan for Doyle (25 inj ); Darragh Stakelum for Leamy (HT ); Josh Keller for Caesar (40 ); Paddy McCormack for McCarthy (53 ); Stefan Tobin for O’Donoghue (69 ).
Scorers for Tipperary: Jake Morris 0-8 (3fs ); Darragh McCarthy 0-7 (6fs ); Darragh Stakelum 1-0; Sam O’Farrell, Andrew Ormond 0-2 each; Conor Stakelum, Seamus Kennedy 0-1 each.
Galway: Darach Fahy; Joshua Ryan, Cillian Trayers, Darren Morris; Padraic Mannion, Daithi Burke, Daniel Loftus; Gavin Lee, Thomas Monaghan; Darragh Neary, Rory Burke, John Fleming; Declan McLoughlin, Jason Rabbitte, Aaron Niland.
Subs: Ronan Glennon for Morrissey (5 inj ); Cathal Mannion for Monaghan (42 ); Colm Molloy for McLoughlin (53 ); Sean Linnane for Lee (65 ); Paddy MacCarthaigh for Neary (65 ).
Scorers for Galway: Rory Burke 1-3; John Fleming 0-3; Padraic Mannion, Darragh Neary, Jason Rabbitte, Aaron Niland (2fs ) 0-2 each; Gavin Lee, Colm Molloy 0-1 each.
Referee: Sean Stack (Dublin ).
