Tipp destroy Galway in Salthill

Tipperary 4-23 Galway 1-14

Tipperary produced a scintillating performance to crush Galway on their home patch in Salthill this afternoon in Round 6 of the Alllianz National Hurling League. There were strong performances throughout the side with Michael Cahill and Paraic Maher outstanding in the backs. Gearoid Ryan in the first half and Shane McGrath in the second were excellent at midfield in their hard work and ball delivery. It was really in the forwards where Tipp tore Galway apart with Shane Bourke of J.K Brackens scoring 3-4 from play in a devestating display.

It was a desperately disappointing performance from Galway, who knew coming into the game a win would seal their place in the final.

Tipp played quite well in the first half against the breeze and led 1-10 to 1-08 at half time. Galway started decently with the in-form Eoin Forde scoring a scrappy goal after Darren Gleeson had fumbled a routine shot. Tipp responded very well with all six forwards scoring from play in the first half. Lar Corbett scored two nice points with Benny Dunne and John O’Brien also doing well. It was O’Brien who scored the goal after 20 minutes after sharply collecting a Pa Bourke sideline ball and placing it low into the left-hand corner of Colm Callinan’s net. Galway replied positively and Forde and Ger Farragher had the deficit down to two by the interval.

Into the second half Tipp started in lightning quick fashion with Bourke and Patrick Maher (0-4) scoring early points. Bourke then rifled an angled shot past Callinan to see Tipp 8 clear at 2-13 to 1-8 on forty minutes. Galway only scored 5 points in the entire second half to cap a miserable afternoon for John McIntyre and his backroon team.

Bourke continued his rampage with a lovely flicked goal and another acute point to sent Tipp 13 clear. Substitute Brian O’Meara, Ryan and McGrath also pointed to see their chances of making the final becoming a serious reality.

Bourke scored his third to seal a great day for him personally, and he duly picked up the man of the match award afterwards. Tipp can make the final should results go their way next week. They play Wexford in Thurles next Sunday, although the Slaney men scored a shock victory over Cork this afternoon, so it wont be a straightforward task but a win will be strongly fancied.

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