Galway 1-12
Tipperary 0-11
MICHAEL FARRAGHER’S GOAL proved the crucial score in enabling Galway to triumph against Tipperary in this evening’s All-Ireland SFC round one qualifier in Pearse Stadium.
Farragher fired to the net in the 48th minute after being set up by Danny Cummins for a score that pushed Galway into a 1-9 to 0-6 lead.
That provided Galway with a cushion they could rely on during the second-half and they held on for a win that they will savor after their recent wretched record in the qualifiers.
Both sides were looking to bounce back after heavy defeats in their respective provincial championships against Mayo in Connacht and Kerry in Munster.
Galway took an early lead through Danny Cummins before Tipperary hit back with a point by Brian Fox. Then Galway nearly got in for a goal but Micheal Meehan saw his effort brilliantly saved by Tipperary’s Paul Fitzgerald.
Galway backed by the wind in the opening-half, notched a brace of points through Sean Armstrong but Tipperary inspired by points from Conor Sweeney (2) and Hugh Coghlan then went in front by 0-4 to 0-3.
Meehan tied the teams before Sweeney edged Tipperary back in front. Yet Galway finished the half strongly courtesy of points by Paul Conroy and Armstrong to lead by 0-6 to 0-5 at the interval.
Galway upped the ante after the break with Mark Hehir, Armstrong, Cummins (2), Meehan and Farragher all notching points to add to Farragher’s goal as they moved in front by 1-12 to 0-6 with ten minutes remaining.
Tipperary struggled to score for long stages in the second-half with Peter Acheson notching a solitary effort but they did finish strongly as they reeled off the last five points of the game from Conor Sweeney (3) and Bobby O’Brien (2).
However Galway held on to ensure they will be in the draw for round two of the qualifiers on Monday morning.
Conor Sweeney of Tipperary and Colin Forde of Galway
INPHO/Mike Shaughnessy
Scorers for Galway: Sean Armstrong 0-4, Michael Farragher 1-1, Danny Cummins 0-3, Micheal Meehan 0-2 (0-1f), Mark Hehir 0-1.
Scorers for Tipperary: Conor Sweeney 0-5, Bobby O’Brien 0-2, Brian Fox, Hugh Coghlan, Peter Acheson, Aldo Matassa 0-1 each.
GALWAY: Manus Breathnach; Colin Forde, Finian Hanley, Keith Kelly; Conor Doherty, Gary O’Donnell, Gary Sice: Paul Conroy, Greg Higgins; John O’Brien, Sean Armstrong, Michael Farragher; Mark Hehir, Micheal Meehan, Danny Cummins.
Subs: Donal O’Neill for Sice (64), Tomas Flynn for O’Brien (68), Fiontan O Curraoin for Farragher (61), Michael Martin for Meehan (60).
TIPPERARY: Paul Fitzgerald; Andrew Morrissey, Paddy Codd, John Coghlan; Brian Fox, Donal Lynch, Donagh Leahy; Hugh Coghlan, Steven O’Brien; Lorcan Egan, Peter Acheson, Ian Fahey; Conor Sweeney, Philip Quirke, George Hannigan.
Subs: Brian Mulvihill for Lynch (49), Bobby O’Brien for Fahey 56, Aldo Matassa for S O’Brien (60),
