Yesterday was a brilliant game of hurling I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish. Great play from both sides, outstanding defending, great scores. It had it all.

One thing I thought, during the whole game, was that there was a soft side to this Tipperary team I had never seen. I've liked Tipperary hurling since Babs Keatings team came along in the mid 80's. They were great hurlers but they were tough. And every team since has been tough. Hard men who hurled. Gave and took hard hits and never lay down against anyone.

Yesterday, Galway went out to rough up Tipperary. Every line ball or free given, a Galway man had to bump into a Tipp man. Callanan hit a point, bang a Galway man had to hit him on his way back out. All over the field, Galway men were making the game very physical for Tipp. Even the incident with Woodlock and Donnelan, Donnelan came off better and didn't think twice about clipping Woodlock. And Tipperary gave nothing back. They didn't get involved. Stood off. Allowed Galway to push them around. And it made Galway row in the game, gave them confidence. I couldn't believe it really. I have never seen a team outgun Tipperary for aggression and hardness in a game, even when they were up against Galway in the 80's, Clare in the 90's or Kilkenny.

Galway deserved the win, played better hurling. I just thought it was notable how hard Galway hit, how little Tipp got involved.

icehonesty (Wexford) - Posts: 2550 - 17/08/2015 15:20:09    1771492

Rubbish starting now!

Whats tough about what Canning, Donnelan or Hanbury done??
Galway were physically stronger most definitely but if more of the Tipp forwards were on song that wouldn't have mattered.

If Donnelan was sent off would he have been tough or stupid??

tiobraid (Tipperary) - Posts: 4119 - 17/08/2015 15:24:14    1771496

I was glad (for hurling) that Galway won as they will give Kilkenny a massive physical battle. Had Tipp made the final I think they'd have tried to play a game based on fluency & movement.

Galway will take Kilkenny on physically, skill wise, the lot. I don't think Tipp are soft, but their run to yesterday, did it stand to them? A handy win over us. A chess match v Waterford. I don't think either game prepared them for Galway.

slayer (Limerick) - Posts: 6480 - 17/08/2015 15:25:55    1771497

Also, Galway tried big men on Barrett and yet he came out with nearly every ball. James Barry totally physically dominated Canning and Glynn. Tipp are not a big team and teams roughing up other team dont win all irelands.
Galway were very physical yesterday but so are KK and they have never out muscled Tipp so I don't buy into that

tiobraid (Tipperary) - Posts: 4119 - 17/08/2015 15:47:40    1771524

Tiobraid - no rubbish. I agree. KK are always physical and Tipp always do go toe-to-toe with them. That's why it was so surprising that Tipp had no stomach for a battle yesterday. Tipp, yes, if they had one more forward on song they'd have won. But that doesn't mean they stood up to be counted yesterday when the pressure came on.

icehonesty (Wexford) - Posts: 2550 - 17/08/2015 18:01:23    1771599

Dont agree with this theory at all.If anything,Galways workrate and intensity was higher.Tipps forwards have always struggled to win primary ball in the air.Bar Callinan,the Tipp forwards were well beaten yesterday.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 17/08/2015 18:08:59    1771603

How can someone say they didn't have the stomach for the battle or didn't stand up to it, we were beaten in the 73rd minute by a point, better decision making by Galway won the game for them by a point. If Tipp had won I would of felt very sorry for Galway, some say a draw would of being a fair result but I think Galway deserved it because of the way they reacted to Tipp goals. Let's remember only a point was the difference not 15. If Tipp had won by a point would we be saying if Galway played more hurling and less of the physical stuff they might have won. Believe me when I say this only one thing will beat KK and that's hurling not physical stuff or mind games or off the ball stuff.

therealtmo (Tipperary) - Posts: 1292 - 17/08/2015 18:56:33    1771622

Thats a fair point realtmo.I rarely remember Kilkenny being beaten physically.Galway can match them in this area,but Galway will have to be at their best skill wise,and maximise their scoring chances to beat KK.After yesterday,maybe Galway are saving their goals for the final.They will probably need a couple.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 17/08/2015 19:04:06    1771624

Tipp have massively underachieved .I honestly though they would go on an dominate (or at least be level with Kilkenny) after the 2010 all ireland but not to have won an all ireland since then is a massive failure considering the underage success they had around that period and the raw talent at their disposal.

uibhfhaili1986 (Offaly) - Posts: 1296 - 17/08/2015 19:04:53    1771625

If I were you icehonesty I'd re-read your post and see if you still thinks it makes as much sense as it did when you wrote it.

Were you even at the match? Terrible effort at a WUM if that's what you are trying to do.

Killarney.87 (Tipperary) - Posts: 2513 - 17/08/2015 19:11:08    1771631

PS is Noel McGrath soft? I would say he is anything but.

Killarney.87 (Tipperary) - Posts: 2513 - 17/08/2015 19:13:41    1771634

Did you even watch the match? The reason it was a classic was that both teams were up for the battle. Hooks, blocks, tackles going in all over the place, by both sides. If Tipp had been 'soft' yesterday, or hadn't had the stomach for it, Galway would have steamrolled us. Would you have preferred brawls all over the field, or for Woodlock to have swung back on Donnelan? There was nothing soft about yesterdays game, just honest effort from both sides.

Marlon_JD (Tipperary) - Posts: 1823 - 17/08/2015 19:23:39    1771639

Tipp will be around again next year, need to get our selection right, cue hit on it already we need a bit of adjustment for next year.
Glesson
Barrett, Breen, Cahill,
R Maher Barry P Maher
B Maher Bergin
N McGrath Bonner Bubbles
J McGrath Seamie Forde

therealtmo (Tipperary) - Posts: 1292 - 17/08/2015 19:27:35    1771644

I am a staunch Limerick supporter and our greatest rivals are Tipp but to suggest this team are or any Tipp are soft is going a tad too far. This is a fine Galway team with several U 21, Minor and club championship medal and yet they were taken down to the wire by this so called 'soft team'. What is surprising is that Galway with all their emerging talent have not made the breakthrough before now.

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4318 - 17/08/2015 19:27:57    1771646

Where Galway excel is in their forward line. Some very fast, fluid forwards who can pop the ball over from anywhere.
Average age is 22 or 23, and they play some of the best hurling I have seen.
Callinan kept Tipp in the game.
They have some tigerish defenders like Tannian, and am impressed with their hunger and work rate.
Kilkenny will have to be on their toes to beat Galway.

Rockies (Cork) - Posts: 947 - 17/08/2015 19:52:41    1771664

D Gleeson
C Barrett
J Barry
M Cahill
R Maher
P Maher
M Breen
B Maher
N McGrath - I would try Noel at midfield.Beautiful sticksman,similiar to when R Hogan went from forwards to midfield.
J Forde
B Maher
J O Dwyer
N O Meara
S Callinan
J McGrath

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 17/08/2015 19:58:39    1771671

At 11 i meant Bonnar Maher.Brendan Maher in midfield.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 17/08/2015 20:02:14    1771673

Galway were physically stronger than Tipp, but they'll be crucified by KK, it will be KK at a canter.

arock (Dublin) - Posts: 4896 - 17/08/2015 20:56:28    1771714

I wasn't trying to wind anyone up. I'm sure guys like Noel McGrath, Callanan, Bonner, Brendan and Padraic Maher aren't soft. But the way they played yesterday they were. That's my genuine opinion. Tipp lost because they weren't as willing, in Cody's words, to kill to win.

icehonesty (Wexford) - Posts: 2550 - 17/08/2015 20:58:00    1771717

For me I never liked Tipp of old as I thought they were over physical , but yesterday for me that was the Tipperary that I liked to see. Yes the forwards struggled but they played a nice brand of hurling running from defence and playing the ball into space for Callanan to get on. Galway were playing a more in your face type of hurling tackling in numbers and they are a huge side that wear teams down . I would fear big time for Galway full back line if Richie Power is back or if Tj wonders in near goal , but it will be one of the biggest tests this Kilkenny team will face . Glynn was extremely quite yesterday and has to show up the next day as does Joe Canning who again hit wide after wide. It's the young guns Galway have that will win the all Ireland , no fear and skill and fitness is a joy to watch. Tipp need EOS to stay on because with 3 mins to go Tipp had her won and he has the respect of the players who won a Munster this year lets not forget .

ke40 (Kildare) - Posts: 209 - 17/08/2015 21:16:18    1771728