Tipperary are through to the All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship final after a 2-16 to 1-14 win over Galway at Croke Park this afternoon.
A stunning 37th-minute second-half goal from Mike McCarthy proved vital for Tipp as a quickfire 1-02 opened up a lead they never surrendered in what was a tight contest before the emphatic strike.
Paul Killeen was dismissed late on for the Tribesmen, ending their chances of launching a comeback.
Galway raced into the lead in the opening minutes.
Jason Flynn blasted into the net at the near post after good work by Brian Molloy to take a four-point lead after two minutes.
But Stephen Cahill responded for Tipp, getting first to the breaking ball and beating Galway goalkeeper Maidhc O Conghaile to knock it over the line.
John O'Brien hit four first-half points for Tipp as they led 1-07 to 1-06 at the break.
The match was delicately poised until McCarthy's effort and the run of scores just before the 40-minute mark that stunned Galway.
Brian Molloy brought Galway back to within three points at one stage but substitute Sean Maher kept Tipp ticking over and once Killeen saw red, the writing was on the wall for Mattie Murphy's team.
Tipp will meet Dublin in the final next month after they beat Clare last week.
