Impressive Galway too strong for Tipperary

Galway 2-19  Tipperary 0-9

Darren Kelly in Portlaoise

 WITH the minimum of fuss, Galway produced a professional performance last Saturday to dispose of Tipperary in this All-Ireland quarter-final meeting to secure their place in the final four.

Tony Ward’s charges were expecting a tougher challenge but produced a professional performance  All six starting forwards scored from play along with their two midfielders while substitutes Maria Breheny and Noreen Coen also contributed as they set up an encounter with defending All-Ireland champions Wexford.

Ailish O’Reilly was the star with 2-2 while Therese Maher, Lorraine Ryan and Sarah Dervan ensured the Tipperary forwards got little change despite a good start but they will be under no illusion that success won’t come as easy when they face the Slaneysiders.

 After a poor opening joust with Kilkenny, Galway are back on target and their next outing could well define their season. Away wins against Wexford and Clare were followed with substantial margins over Derry and Tipperary but it’s what happens from here that will determine were Galway are at.  The attack is gelling as a unit and midfielders Niamh Kilkenny and Molly Dunne also played their part.

 The right flank of the defence is still unsettled and Ward’s decision on who fills two and five on August 17 will be important but they are now in the position to prepare another major tilt at national honours. A full report will appear in this week’s Connacht Tribune