Tipperary have qualifed for the Allianz National Hurling League final after a 2-19 to 1-15 victory over Galway at Cusack Park in Ennis this evening. This will be their third consecutive appearance in the final and they will meet either Clare or All-Ireland champions Kilkenny, who play tomorrow in the other semi-final at Semple Stadium.
Nicky English's side dominated from the start in this evening's tie and took just 15 minutes to build up a seven point advantage, thanks to a goal from rising star Lar Corbett.
At half-time, Tipp enjoyed a 10-point advantage and looked unbeatable. However, Galway came out with renewed enthusiasm, no doubt fueled by the wrath of manager Noel Lane for their first-half performance. But the enthusasim was sapped when Tipperary scored another goal, this time through Declan Ryan, in the 43rd minute.
Tipp began to relax by that stage and Galway took advantage to reduce the gap between them. Substitue Eugene Cloonan scored four points while a goal in stoppage time from Mark Kearns made the scoreline somewhat more respectable.
Meanwhile, in today's Leinster Minor Hurling Championship, Dublin progressed to the semi-finals after a 3-11 to 0-10 win over Westmeath while Offaly comprehensively beat neighbours Laois 5-10 to 1-06. That match saw three players being sent off inside the final ten minutes.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
