GALWAY AND TIPPERARY is the hurling rivalry that keeps on giving.
For a third year in succession, only a point separated them in an All-Ireland semi-final.
This one couldn’t have been any closer, with the teams level on 12 occasions and no more than a score between them throughout the entire contest. Ultimately it was this steely Galway outfit who reigned supreme by the minimum, as Tipperary did 12 months ago.
John McGrath’s goal at this stage last August proved Galway’s undoing, while Tribe attacker Shane Maloney was the hero with a last-gasp point in the 2015 rendition.
This time it was Joe Canning’s turn to win the game with a sensational point under the Cusack Stand.
“Needless to say we have a very disappointed bunch in our dressing-room,” Michael Ryan said afterwards.
“That is what you do, you put your best out there and you do your absolute best. Nobody knows the result of a hurling match. Otherwise, you wouldn’t get 60,000-odd here to shout their teams on.
“I thought it was a very finely balanced game right throughout. There was literally nothing in it. What a fantastic score Joe Canning pulled off at the end. It was fantastic. He is a heart-breaker. It is not his first time.
“It is harsh on any team to lose that kind of a match. This is the exact reverse of what happened last year. We beat them by a point. We lost by a point in 2015. We are no stranger to these tight games with Galway.
“I just thought they were really, really good here. So too were our guys. A great bunch of fellas. They tried so hard to stay in that game and get something out of it. It just wasn’t to be.
“We’ve just come up one-point shy to a very, very fine Galway team.”
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Very humble in defeat. Sadly the same intensity was not evident from Tipp this year.
@Sam Walsh: in fairness Galway has moved on a lot this season, getting much more balance to their game. But without the 5 week break affecting their sharpness, Tipp would have been blown away over 70mins…
@Rónán: thats a bit of an exaggeration galway were very lucky to win today. No team is ever blown away when tipp and galway clash
@Rónán: Cant agree with that. It was a one point game and could have gone either way at the end.
@Rónán: it’s a shame to heR such rubbish after a great game.
@Sam Walsh: stupid comment.. both teams gave everything and only a puck of a ball in it.. two great teams and best of luck to Galway in the final.
@JP Brennan: What comment would that be now???
I think that’s a fair enough summation. We are disappointed to lose at this stage but that’s life.
Well done to Galway – They were worth their win today especially that point from Joe.
@John Fitzpatrick:
Sure are,John.It was heartbreaking being at the game with my Tipp Dad.Tough to take another close loss.Hats off to Galway.I hope they go on to win it.
@John Fitzpatrick: John as i told u last week Waterford will win the all Ireland are u not listening to me. Crying over spilt milk now are you.
In fairness Michael Ryan comes across very well and he seems to be one of the only managers who actually answers the question he’s asked
A class act in defeat
@Setanta Landers: That he is for sure…unlike some of the whinging Tipp supporters on here.
@Lord Clanricarde: lacking a bit of class yourself!!
Have to respect Michael Ryan. Defeat was a bitter pill to swallow today but very classy of him to salute Joe Canning.
Fair play Micheal Ryan a true gent of the game