What a game that was.
Galway edged the best hurling game of the year in their All-Ireland semi-final clash with Tipperary in Croke Park.
A 73rd minute Joe Canning effort separated the sides as the Tribesmen emerged victorious on a scoreline of 0-22 to 1-18.
The first half of Tipperary and Galway’s All-Ireland semi-final meeting didn’t live up to the lofty expectations predicted, but by God, the second half was a totally different ball-game.
The Premier County went into the break with a one-point cushion over the Micheal Donoghue’s Tribesmen but you just knew there was going to be a sting in the tail in the second half.
It was without a doubt one of the most evenly matched hurling Championship games we had seen all year, as the neighbours went score for score for seventy minutes of non-stop action.
Joe Canning hit the heights we expect of him while Gearóid McInerney was a resolute block that just couldn’t be moved in the heart of the Galway defence.
McInerney caught high ball after high ball in that second half and he oozed bravery, power and utter defiance throughout.
Conor Whelan was at his brilliant best in the full forward line, however, and his mix of work-rate, speed, power, bravery and skill was a true joy to watch.
The game went down to the proverbial wire with just one point separating the sides when the clock struck 70.
Nails were being bitten, hearts were thumping and the adrenaline was flowing for every sinner in the Croke Park stadium.
Joe Canning was difference between the sides in the end with his blockbuster effort in the last minute of the game.
The iconic duo of Marty Morrissey and John Mullane who were commentating on RTÉ Radio summed up the hysteria perfectly.
Marty was making al kinds of facial expressions, while Mullane gazed on to the hallowed turf with excitement and anticipation.
The atmosphere in @CrokePark is absolutely electric and Marty and John are in full flight! Galway 0-18 Tipperary 1-14 #tippvgal pic.twitter.com/OtSIRXehdi
— RTÉ Radio 1 (@RTERadio1) August 6, 2017
Only in the GAA.
