Impressive Galway inflict more semi-final torture on Tipperary
Galway go again for Croker. Semi-final torture again for Tipperary.
After coming off a marginal second best to Cork in last year's final classic, Galway will travel redemption road in a fortnight's time. For Tipp, the road again ends at the semi-final juncture. A seventh All-Ireland semi-final defeat in eight years.
This latest semi-final rejection, mind, carried none of the one-point heartbreak they endured on this weekend for the past two years. They were a distance off Galway here. Tipp's 1-3 total from play spoke to that distance. For the women in maroon, it took them a little longer than they would have preferred to reflect that gap on the scoreboard.
Level at the break, and momentum having swung to the Premier corner at the end of that opening half, Galway reassumed the lead and control right from the throw-in. Niamh Mallon was fouled, Carrie Dolan converted.
Karen Kennedy did subsequently restore parity. It was the last time, though, Tipp stood level. From the 33rd minute to the finish, Galway dominated 1-8 to 0-4.
The goal arrived on 38 minutes. It was cooked up by two of Galway's outstanding second half characters. Ailish O'Reilly played through Mallon. The finish was drenched in class. O'Reilly contributed three second-half points herself.
The goal nudged the westerners four clear. 1-11 to 1-7. They gradually pulled out of sight. Along with O'Reilly, Aoife Donohue, Mairead Dillon, and Coaimhe Kelly rose white flags.
Donohue, for a finish, was popping up everywhere. She, more than anyone else, typified the difference in physical conditioning between the two sides. Galway were more ferocious. They were fitter too.
The opening half swung on a Tipp goal wrapped and generously handed over by Galway.
There was 26 minutes run when Karen Kennedy charged from halfway. No obvious signs of danger, even if Kennedy in full flight always has the potential for danger.
The Tipp captain shot for white from just inside the 45-metre line. Goalkeeper Sarah Healy put up the stick for what should have been a routine bat-down and control. Instead, the sliotar flew off her hurley and into the net.
Caoimhe Kelly of Galway in action against Julieanne Bourke of Tipperary during the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Camogie Senior Championship semi-final match between Galway and Tipperary at UPMC Nowlan Park, Kilkenny. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
The chant started. They were the majority in the crowd. We hadn't known such because there'd been nothing at all to shout about for the previous 26 minutes. No score from play, only two Grace O'Brien frees, and full-back Karin Blair lost to injury.
Kennedy's point attempt ends in the net all of a sudden the blue and gold flags are taken out from underneath the seat. 'Tipp, Tipp, Tipp, Tipp'.
From 0-8 to 0-2 in arrears, Tipp outgunned their neighbours from there to half-time by 1-4 to 0-1. Galway's restarts were devoured. Deliveries to Aoife Donohue that had stuck so effectively for the opening 25 minutes were now being crowded out.
Successive fouls on Roisin Howard, Eimear Heffernan, and Kennedy by Donohue, Emma Helebert, and Dervla Higgins enabled Grace O'Brien and Heffernan to bring Tipp level at 1-6 to 0-9 at the break. Not since the seventh minute had they enjoyed stalemate. They would only once more stand level with their opponents.
Tipp never led from start to finish. Galway again stand on the cusp of glory.
Scorers for Galway: C Dolan (0-6, 0-5 frees); N Mallon (1-2); A O'Reilly (0-5); M Dillon, C Kelly (0-2 each); A Donohue (0-1).
Scorers for Tipperary: G O'Brien (0-7, 0-7 frees); K Kennedy (1-1); E Heffernan (free), C Hennessy, J Kelly (0-1 each).
GALWAY: Sarah Healy; Shauna Healy, R Black, R Hannify; E Helebert, C Hickey, D Higgins; A Starr, O Rabbitte; N Mallon, M Dillon, A Donohue; C Dolan, A O'Reilly, C Kelly.
SUBS: S Gardiner for Helebert (42); S Rabbitte for Dillon, A Hesnan for Healy (both 52); N Niland for Kelly, J Hughes for O Rabbitte (both 61).
TIPPERARY: L Leeane; E Loughman, J Bourke, K Blair; C Maher, S Corcoran, C McCarthy; M Eviston, K Kennedy; C McIntyre, C Hennessy, E Heffernan; G O'Brien, R Howard, M Burke.
SUBS: E Carey for Blair (20 mins, inj); J Kelly for Burke (44); A McGrath for Maher (60).
REFEREE: J Heffernan (Wexford)
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