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Tipperary manager Liam Cahill happy that inconsistent performance bore fruit

Alan Tynan of Tipperary is tackled by Galway's Jack Grealish
Alan Tynan of Tipperary is tackled by Galway's Jack Grealish

Liam Cahill told RTÉ's Sunday Sport that he pleased his team were able to find form when their game against Galway was in the melting pot this afternoon.

The Premier emerged a slightly flattering five-point winners from in the Allianz League clash at FBD Semple Stadium, with the impressive Gearóid O'Connor's late penalty putting a sheen on the scoreboard.

Tipp twice led by six points in the first half, although the gap was three at the break. They would stretch it out to eight in the second half before another revival from the Tribesmen left the sides level with eight minutes to go.

But from there the hosts outscored Galway by 1-04 to 0-02 to register their second league win on the bounce.

"Galway got five scores in a row without a reply from us and that's obviously something we'll have to look at," Cahill told RTÉ's Sunday Sport.

"Delighted with the heart of the boys to be able to keep the scoreboard ticking over and make good decisions when it was really in the melting pot there near the end."

"Just delighted to get out with the two points.

"With the way the league is structured it's important now that we have safety from the dreaded bottom two where you get the opportunity to make sure that you have Division 1-type hurling next year."

'Galway got five scores in a row without a reply from us and that's obviously something we'll have to look at'

The game ebbed and flowed over the 70 minutes although crucially Tipperary never fell behind.

The victory was also a small redress of the hurt that Galway had caused the Munster men by knocking them out of last year's championship at the quarter-final stage.

But Cahill, like most managers at this time of the year, still has plenty of ideas as to where his side can be improved.

"[We got] different tests at different stages," he continued.

"Early on it looked to be well in control, five or six points out. Then Galway come at you and start asking big questions of you. Good learnings from today about how to look for that extra little bit of consistency, and also trying to fix little problems when they arise on the field.

"We had two goals chances left behind us and a couple of scores that hit the post. You'd like to have been a little further out [at half-time].

"In fairness to the lads they started the second half really well and I was happy that mid-way through the second half we looked to be kicking on by five or six points.

"Then we lost our way. So there's plenty of areas for us to work on, especially around that lull that comes at certain stages, that we can manage it a bit better."

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