It was the game that had everything…
Galway booked their place in the All-Ireland final against Kilkenny with a stunning 0-26 to 3-16 victory at Croke Park this afternoon.
But the scoreline barely even touches upon the drama at GAA headquarters, as the Tribesmen overcame one of the great individual performances by Seamus Callanan to advance.
Callanan was a one-man attacking machine, scoring 3-9, including a superb first-minute goal that appeared to set the tone in the Premier County’s favour.
Galway fought back, nicking the lead on the stroke of half-time, 0-13 to 1-9, but they could not stop Callanan, who kept Tipp in the game almost single-handedly.
The game also featured a huge standing ovation for the returning Noel McGrath, who was back in the panel for the first time since his cancer diagnosis earlier this year, and whose important late point looked like being the fairytale story of the day.
But that honour was seized by Shane Moloney, the debutant striking the winning point deep into injury time, just moments after entering the fray.
Needless to say, some of Ireland’s top sportsmen were hooked…
This is absolutely breath taking #TIPPvGAL @rte #mightymen
— Kenneth Egan OLY (@kenegan30) August 16, 2015
What a game of hurling so far. Callanan and Canning are on fire. Some atmosphere in Croker too.
— Shane Lowry (@ShaneLowryGolf) August 16, 2015
Galway led by one at half-time…
https://twitter.com/CianC16/status/632942476727308288
https://twitter.com/keane2097/status/632941369158447104
Can we cancel half-time #TIPPvGAL
— Brian Flanagan (@BHDFlanagan) August 16, 2015
It was leagues ahead of the fare on offer over the water…
On one channel you've got heroes who'd die for their county yet get paid nothing, on another you've got Raheem Sterling & Diego Costa #GAA
— Niall McGarry (@MrNiallMcGarry) August 16, 2015
Even the bricks and mortar could not control their excitement…
@officialgaa @GAAGO @TheSundayGame pictures are falling off the wall here with the excitement #galwayvtipp pic.twitter.com/VeGQwKjJgf
— james casey (@JamesJcasey) August 16, 2015
The game was winning plaudits from around the world…
https://twitter.com/GaryTraynor1/status/632946827793403904
If there is a better game in the world than hurling, well I havnt seen it yet!!! WOW!!!! Brilliant game!! #AllIrelandShcSemi #GAAGO
— Cormac McCormack (@CormacMcNYC) August 16, 2015
I'm a neutral and enjoying every single moment of this game.Heart stopping stuff. Pleasure to watch. Best sport in the World @TheSundayGame
— CatherineMcG09 (@CatherineMcG09) August 16, 2015
Amidst the drama, there was still time for Marty Morrissey to fill us in on the weekend’s important news…
Breaking:The linesman's mother-in-law spun the wheel & won €40k w Marty Whelan last night [h/t Marty Morrissey]
(Oh, & Tipp scored a goal)
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) August 16, 2015
The arrival of Noel McGrath was a highlight, and his point put Tipp ahead late on…
What a game of hurling…The west is awake.. Fair play to Galway but more so fair play to Noel McGrath #GAA #Legend
— Enda Conway (@EndaConway) August 16, 2015
Brilliant to see the appreciation being shown from both sets of supporters for @GrathNoel. #Classy
— Aaron Kernan (@AaronKernan) August 16, 2015
…but others were more concerned with Marty’s immediate wellbeing.
If Galway get a winning point here I think Marty Morrissey might drop.. #MartySquad #TIPPvGAL
— Rob Timony (@RobTimony) August 16, 2015
https://twitter.com/MoranPaul52/status/632954404434522112
Neutrals were hoping for another 70 minutes…
Please be a draw.. Want to see this game again!! Unreal stuff for the neutral supporter!! #TIPPvGAL
— PK (@PK_Eire) August 16, 2015
But Shane Moloney’s late intervention sent the Tribesmen into raptures…
https://twitter.com/LFennessy6/status/632955489668702208
Time to reflect, catch breath and recover…
https://twitter.com/Woolberto/status/632953955031646209
https://twitter.com/ColinJAM/status/632956261928202240
Best thing I've ever seen in my life…. holy shit that was unbelievable! Without a doubt the best sport in the world #TIPPvGAL
— Damien Synnott (@damosynnott) August 16, 2015
Absolutely jumping off the chair here!! #epic#hurling #TIPPvGAL
— Marchmane (@marchmane1) August 16, 2015
https://twitter.com/JohnDotWhite/status/632955567472906240
What a fecking match, one of the best games I've ever seen my heart is still in my mouth. GALWAY FOR THE ALL-IRELAND!! #TIPPvGAL
— Mary-Claire (MC) (@MCluvs2laugh) August 16, 2015
https://twitter.com/foxymm12/status/632954694604849153
https://twitter.com/LynamSteven/status/632954726016024576
https://twitter.com/Olan_Walshe/status/632955657071775744
One man realised there was only one thing to prescribe…
https://twitter.com/Billbo_j_byrne/status/632954599339655168
While others were already looking ahead… (no pressure, football)
Absolute Cracker, games like these make you want to be at home playing.. Bring on the football next week #GAA #AllIreland #TIPPvGAL
— Colin Burke (@Burkie_91) August 16, 2015
