Healy hits a hat-trick as Galway tame Cats in cracker

IN the fourth instalment of a five-part series, Patrick Earley reflects on his most memorable Galway senior hurling matches over the past 15 years. This week he puts the spotlight on those games rated 6 to 4.

#6

2015 All-Ireland Semi-Final

Galway 0-26

Tipperary 3-16

Sunday, August 16, Croke Park

The beginning of an epic trilogy, Shane Moloney was the 73rd minute match winner for Galway against Tipperary in this epic All-Ireland semi-final five years ago.

Earlier in the series, we touched on Joe Canning’s defiant and mesmerising performance against Cork back in 2008 where the then 19-year-old almost defeated the Rebels on his own, well this game was similar in so many respects, only mercifully, the shoe was on the other foot this time around.

Seamus Callanan caused absolute wreck at the edge of the Galway square, tallying 3-9 (3-4 from play) despite the best efforts of Padraic Mannion and John Hanbury.

Hanbury even resorted to rugby at one stage in an attempt to quell the Drom-Inch man, hauling Callanan to the deck for a 63rd minute penalty with the sides tied 0-22 to 3-13.

This was a critical juncture and after a lengthy spell receiving treatment, Callanan stood up to face Galway ‘keeper Colm Callanan with the Galway custodian tipping the sliotar over the bar to minimise the damage.

In the three minutes which preceded that, Callanan made one of the greatest saves of his career from Lar Corbett’s first time pull, while Noel McGrath received a standing ovation upon his introduction, four months on from testicular cancer surgery.

For all that though, Galway were miles the better team but seemingly every time they built themselves into a decent position, Callanan would rattle the back of the net.

He goaled in the opening minute and despite trailing 1-6 to 0-5 after 22 minutes, Galway finished the half strongly to lead at the break 0-13 to 1-9, with Cathal Mannion and Jason Flynn in subline form.

Callanan again handed the Tipp the dream start to the second half and after Galway drew level, he buried his third to make it 3-12 to 0-18.

The sides were level 10 times in all and when McGrath pointed in the 70th minute, one feared that it had been written in the stars for Tipp but Galway had other ideas and a stunning leveller from Flynn paved the way for Moloney to write his name into the history books.

Galway: C Callanan; J Hanbury, P Mannion, J Coen; Daithi Burke, I Tannian, A Harte; A Smith (0-1), David Burke (0-2); J Flynn (0-5, 0-1 free), C Donnellan, J Glynn; C Whelan (0-2), J Canning (0-10, 0-6 frees, 0-1 ‘65, 0-1 sl), C Mannion (0-5). Subs used: J Cooney, D Collins, G Lally, S Moloney (0-1), P Brehony.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

Get the Connacht Tribune Live app

The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.