The Greenhills Hotel on the Ennis Road was my destination of choice and the place was packed full of Tipperary and Galway supporters. You certainly would not have thought you were just 400 metres from the clubhouse of Na Piarsaigh – All-Ireland winners in 2016 - when the roof nearly came off the place after 14-man Dublin produced a monumental shock to unceremoniously dump the Treaty out.
Not so long ago, such a result would have opened up the Liam MacCarthy conversation for Galway. A few years back, this kind of upset might have sent a jolt of belief through the maroon ranks. And even though Micheál Donoghue’s men had made light work of the Dubs a few weeks earlier, there was no noticeable lift in confidence ahead of facing our auld foes from Tipp.
Flat on the field, outnumbered in the stands
Among Galway fans, a quiet unease still lingered in the air. Losing to Tipperary always cuts that bit deeper. And as it turned out, the fear was well-founded - both in the performance and the result.
Let’s call a spade a spade here, Galway were dreadful. Their puckouts, passing, touch, finishing, fielding, defending, gameplan and overall work rate were all miles off where they needed to be. It was both frustrating and depressing, and the game was essentially over a contest long before the final whistle.
Tipp won pretty much every sector of the field. Most concerning, though, was their dominance in attack. Jake Morris, Andrew Ormond, John McGrath, and Jason Forde racked up a combined 17 points from play. It was a masterclass in finishing, even if far from Tipperary’s sharpest overall performance of 2025.
Galway, by contrast, mustered a paltry 1-4 from the hand. Only Cathal Mannion scored more than once from the starting forward line. Too often, promising attacks broke down with a poor final ball. Frankly, the eight-point final margin flattered us.
In the stands, the numbers told a story too. Galway support was thin on the ground - drowned out by the Tipp faithful. For those of us brought up on a steady diet of rivalry and resentment towards our Premier (ironically fitting in this instance ) neighbours, the nature of the defeat was especially hard to stomach. We never laid a glove on them.
Finding that edge again
Worse still, I found myself feeling something I never expected: envy. Jealous of their spirit. Their application. Their unity. These were players willing to run themselves into the ground for one another. There was a clear sense that every man in blue and gold was willing to do whatever it took.
We were bullied, plain and simple. One second half moment summed it up: Tipp midfielder Willie Connors clattered into Brian Concannon, floored him, and carried on unbothered. Now, I am not calling for anything reckless in retaliation - but you can’t let that happen to a teammate and not react.
Too often this year, Galway have felt too nice to play against. The best teams bring an edge, a controlled aggression that teeters right on the boundary of what is legal. That hardened edge - a steeliness that defined Donoghue’s first tenure - is missing. It needs to be found again.
Galway hurling stands at a critical juncture. Either we regroup with grit and clear purpose, or we drift into the wilderness of mediocrity. Saturday’s loss stings and how the season has petered out has left us bruised. But if we are looking for a roadmap back, Tipperary have just shown us how quickly a team’s fortunes can turn.
To do that, I believe management must be ruthless from here onwards with personnel. Change is required.
Footballers flourish
Galway’s win in Newry was a much-needed pick-me-up result for the county. The Tribesmen were pushed all the way by a hugely impressive Down outfit. But the class of Shane Walsh and Matthew Thompson told, as did the impact from the bench with Tomo Culhane, Daniel O’Flaherty and Peter Cooke contributing a priceless 1-4.
Padraic Joyce’s side were paired with Meath in Monday’s draw and in the curtain raiser of an enthralling 'Super Sunday' of football that sees Armagh and Kerry lock horns afterwards.
Meath have beaten superpowers like Dublin and Kerry this year. So, Galway are forewarned of their threat – made even more challenging by them being well rested.
Still, I expect this Galway team to prevail after coming out the right side of yet another one-score game.
