Galway hurlers suffer earliest championship exit in 45 years

Just when the hurling season is really kicking into life, Galway will be unwilling bystanders after being the victims of an astonishing Tipperary fightback in Saturday evening’s thrilling All-Ireland Qualifier in Thurles, losing on a 3-25 to 4-13 scoreline.

Six points clear in the 51st minute and with the home team on the ropes, Galway were unable to kick on as the match subsequently underwent a stunning transformation which saw them heavily outscored by 2-10 to 0-1 from there to the finish.

The legacy of their stirring duels with Kilkenny clearly impacted on a tiring Galway in the final quarter as Tipperary, under fierce pressure after losing their last four championship matches, managed to rescue their season in their hour of greatest need.

Team manager Anthony Cunningham, whose three year term is now over, didn’t try to hide his disappointment after the game. He admitted that Galway were done no favours by the draw, while having to play three big games in a fortnight drained them.

“It’s very hard to take. It was a tremendous game and we looked to be really motoring when going six points ahead. We threw everything at this fixture and there are a lot of tired bodies in there.

“You wouldn’t have seen that finish when we went ahead, but Tipperary got some very good scores and deserved to win. They finished the stronger team. Going to Thurles to play them was the toughest draw we could get . . . it’s very disappointing.”

Cunningham emphasised, however, that there were still more positives compared to when Galway exited last year’s championship to Clare at the same venue.

“Five or six new players have been blooded and I can’t fault our guys. They gave everything and just ran out of steam.”

The Galway boss was then asked about his future plans. “We love what we are doing, but that’s for another day,” he replied.