Another win by Tipperary hurlers shows that the buzz is back this year

For once, the close encounters of past years did not apply. Galway faltered and Tipperary flourished in a disappointing match, one that fared poorly in comparison with Dublin’s heroics against Limerick.

No matter - job done from a Tipperary perspective. Croke Park beckons for the first time since 2019, which is a delightful prospect. And it will be a case of back to the future with a renewal of the Kilkenny rivalry.

One was reluctant to overplay the point in advance, but this really was a must-win game for Tipperary. Defeat here would have undone much of the positivity garnered thus far in the season. Comparisons with 2023 would be inevitable.

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To have avoided that vista - and done so with something to spare - is an outcome to be lauded and applauded. The texture of the game may have been similar to 2023, but with the essential difference that Tipperary were in the ascendant this time.
We revelled in the attacking flair of the Tipperary forwards in the first half. There was exhibition quality to the movement and method of that unit, with John McGrath and Jason Forde at the core of it all. Andy Ormond and Jake Morris were also central; as a unit they left Galway chasing shadows.

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Well before half-time all Tipperary forwards had scored, with Darragh McCarthy the only one not to hit the target from play. It was the variation in their game that seemed to have the Galway defence dazzled. They were drifting into space, linking telepathically, and the wristy striking was a delight to watch.

Against that we had our problems in defence where several Galway attacks came close to a major breach. Rhys Shelly batted away the one shot that got through but we could be grateful for the Tribesmen’s lack of finish on several attacks. A dropped ball, missed pass, wrong option or a scrambling defence all contributed to the situation. Kilkenny won’t be so prodigal.

With the aid of the wind in that half we built a modest lead. A goal would have consolidated it all but we rarely threatened one. Andrew Ormond came closest when he was set up in the right corner but the defence smothered the chance.

Still, a five-point edge at the break was reflective of that half’s play. We were showing more class and economy in attack against the huffing and puffing of Conor Whelan and company. Cathal Mannion hit nine of Galway’s eleven points (two from play). Against that Tipperary had six different scorers, with Jason Forde already on 0-5; John McGrath and Jake Morris were both on 0-3.

Five points is a slim lead in hurling as we soon realised when Galway struck their first goal shortly after resuming. Robert Doyle’s positioning wasn’t the best before he slipped out near the sideline and the back-up cover was slow arriving, as Colm Molloy cut in along the endline before finishing excellently past Shelly. The lead was back to just two points.

I suspect what followed will be one of the aspects that will have pleased Liam Cahill the most. A team’s reaction to a goal conceded can be crucial and Tipperary’s response here was swift and decisive. From the puckout Andy Ormond fetched and fired over an excellent point from the Mackey Stand sideline. Tipperary reeled off the next five points to quench the Galway revival before it had gathered momentum.

We might have had a goal at this stage too when Jake Morris brought a quality save from Darach Fahy and Darragh Stakelum’s kicked effort in the follow-up was smothered.

As the second half unfolded Tipperary were sitting on that cushion of five or six points. We were now matching Galway without pulling away. Our forward momentum wasn’t at the same pitch as the first half but it didn’t matter because Galway’s mounting tally of wides was undoing their efforts.

Then came the Tipperary goal that effectively put the game out of reach of Galway. It was brilliantly orchestrated via Shelly to Connors to Noel McGrath and on to Oisín O’Donoghue, who delivered a delightful finish. The Galway perspective will point to the freedom the Tipp players were accorded but from Tipperary’s viewpoint it was class in creation and completion.

Thereafter, Liam Cahill won’t have been too happy with Tipperary’s input. The team retreated into its shell, sitting on the lead and opting to play time defending rather than pushing ahead. We invited Galway on and they started running at us in waves. Defensive scrambling by Shelly and the backline kept them at bay until the very last play when Declan McLoughlin’s effort eluded the goalie for a consolation flag.

Overall, Tipperary’s display underlined progress made since the corresponding fixture in 2023. We’ve found new players, the older ones are re-energised and the collective is definitely a more potent force. Halting the losing run versus Galway was essential and that requisite overrides any quibbles about the quality of the game.

Still, there were plenty of pluses and minuses to mull over. The togetherness of the group is undeniable this year. The spirit is willing, however the flesh will fare in upcoming challenges. The buzz is back for sure.

The resurgence shown by players like John McGrath and Jason Forde is fantastic – and so essential as a complement to the younger element, who are still developing. The evolution in Jake Morris’ game is another significant aspect of the present upswing in form. Add in the emergence of Andrew Ormond and you now have a powerful attacking platform. Noel McGrath’s masterly input off the bench is another essential weapon in our game plan.

The younger players will take time to develop. Darragh McCarthy needs to eliminate the fouling from his game but there’s huge potential here which in time should flourish. Overburdening these guys with expectation is unhelpful.

Willie Connors put in a heavy shift at midfield and Peter McGarry had a few inputs before being withdrawn at half time. He’s another on a learning curve who needs time to adjust to this level, as does Sam O’Farrell.

The impact of our bench is becoming a significant feature. On Saturday our subs contributed 1-3; Darragh Stakelum hit a valuable brace of points.

Otherwise, our defence will be a focus of some concern ahead of the semi-final. Robert Doyle got turned a few times and Eoghan Connolly had one of his quieter days.

Michael Breen gets in a lot of work and the debate will continue as to whether Craig Morgan is best suited to wing back or midfield. Bryan O’Mara has many great qualities but he needs to work on his decision-making in possession. Ronan is still central, with one rousing catch over the head of Whelan.

I’d imagine the bonfires are already being stoked in Cork after Dublin’s giant-slaying act in the other quarter-final. The greatest upset of all times? People have drawn comparison with Offaly’s Leinster final win over Kilkenny in 1980 and Wexford’s downing of the Cats in the 1976 showdown.

These were seismic for sure but don’t quite measure up to what happened last Saturday. It’s the perceived gap between Limerick and Dublin that makes last weekend’s outcome so earth-shaking. Dublin came from nowhere to topple one of the greatest of all times. Factor in the sending-off and it’s unmatched, surely.

For the Shannonsiders it’s a heavy hit to take, but in the broader context it’s surely explainable. There is evidence since 2023 of slippage among the heroes of five All-Ireland wins; the newer talent hasn’t quite taken up the slack. That runaway win over Cork in the round robin was a once-off rather than a return to the greatness of previous years.

What they did between 2018 and 2023 was truly astounding, but all peaks eventually give way to valleys.