All-Ireland MHC final: Galway 4-13 Tipperary 1-16
GALWAY manager Jeffrey Lynskey admitted a county official told him last winter that this year’s minors were the worst yet. The victorious boss recalled the claim with a smile as he celebrated a thrilling 10th All-Ireland minor title success for the Tribes men.
Two goals in a little over two minutes early in the second half was enough to turn a tight tussle with Tipperary into a cakewalk. Lynskey’s side were level at 1-8 to 0-11 before speeding clear with a 2-2 burst. Sub Liam Forde netted with his first touch before a goal blast from Cianan Fahy that left Tipp rattled. Another super sub, Michael Lynch, finished off the Premier county with Galway’s fourth goal in injury time.
It means Tipp’s hopes of an All-Ireland minor double are over and a certain official from Galway has plenty of egg on his face.
“I was told last December when I went in to be interviewed for the job that it’s probably the worst minor team,” said Lynskey.
“I did my interview and he, I can’t name him now, said it was probably the worst team ever. And that was coming from an official. Look, when you’re working in a teaching environment as I am, you have to have a thick neck when people are giving you comments all the time.
“But you do use those things to motivate yourself. The other thing was I heard Sylvie [Linnane] on Up for the Match on Saturday night saying you’re not a good manager until you’ve won an All-Ireland. That struck a chord with me. I also didn’t want to end up in a losing dressing-room in Croke Park.”
Tipp boss Liam Cahill said the goals were the difference: “We looked to be right in the game up to the 40th minute or so but, suddenly, we were hit for two sucker goals,” he said.
“Then, you’re sinking in water and bucketing it out to stay afloat.”
Galway’s every touch was cheered by a large fan base in place for the senior decider. Free-taker and man of the match Evan Niland put them two clear early on, but Tipp were back level at 0-2 apiece after seven minutes. It set the tone for a tit-for-tat opening half that ended all square. Galway grabbed the only goal after 19 minutes through Brian Concannon, though there was an element of luck to it. Jack Coyne’s miscued point attempt was poorly cleared by James Quigley and Concannon gathered up possession before firing to the net.
The strike left Galway 1-4 to 0-5 up but, again, Tipp were back level with minutes following points from Alan Tynan and Tommy Nolan.
Coyne was Galway’s outstanding performer at midfield, not just playing a role in the goal, but winning a free that was converted and scoring two himself.
Tipp had nine dual players in total, who are also preparing for a football decider with Kerry on Sunday week. It remains to be seen what sort of psychological impact the defeat will have on them. They were ultimately undone here by Galway’s second and third goals, in the 38th and 40th minutes. Forde’s strike was his first touch and Fahy capitalised on a great run by the fit again Jack Grealish.
Lynch’s goal arrived in the 62nd minute and proved the insurance score as Tipp also pulled one back through dual player Nolan.
