Tipperary came through a tough examination from Galway to record their first Division 1A win at Semple Stadium.
The sides were level on five occasions before the Tribesmen nipped ahead for half-time (1-09 to 1-08), with Bernard and Niall Burke sharing out the three closing points.
James Regan and Pa Bourke swapped first-half goals and Noel McGrath and Damien Hayes also found the net, before a final spurt got the home side over the finish line.
With the scoreboard showing 2-18 apiece, Tipp substitute Johnny Ryan pointed them back in front and then a final free from Noel McGrath made the game safe, much to the delight of the majority of the 4,951-strong crowd.
Declan Ryan's men started with Shane Bourke at top of the left after his impressive cameo as a substitute in their defeat to Kilkenny last time out.
Galway, who beat Dublin in their league opener, had two changes to their team with Bernard Burke stationed at corner forward and Joseph Cooney, son of the legendary Joe, taking over from Tony Og Regan in defence.
This was a thrilling early-season clash between these two hurling heavyweights and the action came thick and fast right from the throw-in in Thurles.
Bernard Burke pointed the visitors ahead before Galway goalkeeper James Skehill earned his corn with a terrific save from a powerful Brian O'Meara shot.
In the third minute, a David Burke-inspired move ended with Regan flashing home the game's opening goal and the men from the west were 1-01 to 0-00 to the good.
Points from Pa Bourke, Brendan Maher and John O'Neill helped Tipp get back level by the seventh minute and there was little to choose between the sides until the Premier County registered a 29th-minute goal.
Damien Hayes, Niall Burke and Conor Cooney landed points for Galway, squaring things up at 1-04 to 0-07, but Tipp finally made full use of their share of possession with O'Meara doing well to thread the ball through for Pa Bourke to lash home to the right past Skehill.
However, Galway enjoyed a purple patch in the closing minutes of the half as the Burkes moved them ahead again as the sides headed into the dressing rooms.
Despite looking livelier in attack, Tipp could not shake off Galway when the game got underway again. Timmy Hammersley was denied by Skehill before McGrath, who finished with 1-03, broke onto a ball to slam home a 42nd minute goal.
Nevertheless, just four minutes later, Hayes gathered a long ball in towards the Tipp square to fire into the roof of the net and bring Galway level once more at 2-11 apiece.
James Woodlock and Conor O'Mahony added their names to the scoresheet with Pa Bourke tagging on another free, as Ryan's charges responded in strong fashion.
However, Galway hung in there with Hayes and free-taker Niall Burke chopping away at Tipp's lead and making it 2-15 apiece by the 59th minute.
A stalemate ensued and the game looked destined to end in a draw until Tipp, with the Waterford Crystal Cup already in the trophy cabinet, showed the greater hunger in injury-time.
Scorers - Tipperary: P Bourke 1-06 (0-05f), N McGrath 1-03 (0-01f), J Woodlock, B Maher, J O’Neill, S Bourke 0-02 each, C O’Mahony (0-01 '65'), B O’Meara, J Ryan 0-01 each
Galway: N Burke 0-07 (0-07f), D Hayes 1-03, J Regan 1-02, C Cooney 0-03 (0-01f), B Burke 0-02, B Daly 0-01
TIPPERARY: B Cummins; D Maher, P Curran, M Cahill; J O’Keeffe, C O’Mahony, P Maher; J Woodlock, B Maher; P Bourke, N McGrath, S McGrath; J O’Neill, B O’Meara, S Bourke.
Subs used: E Kelly for S McGrath (half-time), T Hammersley for Kelly (38 mins), J Ryan for P Bourke (70).
GALWAY: J Skehill; D Connolly, D Collins, G O’Halloran; J Cooney, F Moore, N Donoghue; D Burke, C Donnellan; C Cooney, N Burke, I Tannian; D Hayes, J Regan, B Burke.
Subs used: B Daly for Tannian (28 mins), J Coen for Cooney (33), P Gordon for Donoghue (43), A Harte for Donnellan (53), E Ryan for N Burke (66).
Referee: Cathal McAllister (Cork)
