Tipp Through To Final After Bouncing Champions At Nowlan Park

National Hurling League Semi-Finals
Tipperary 1-15
Kilkenny 1-10

By Dermot Kavanagh

Tipperary are finding league knockout games at Nowlan Park very much to their liking.

Last Sunday week it was league champions Waterford who felt the sting of Tipperary's resurgence. Last Sunday it was the turn of All Ireland champions, Kilkenny who found the Tipp men too hot to handle.

Curiously there was a similarity in both results in that despite playing with the elements in the opening halves of both matches Tipperary did not appear to have scored enough to secure the wins.

Yet in both matches it was Tipperary who were the better team despite facing the strong wind running out comfortable winners in each game.

This was a game that Kilkenny were confidently expected to win

Their recent form has been very impressive and was short only Noel Hickey and Henry Shefflin of their All Ireland fifteen

Kilkenny even got the opening score a goal by Eddie Brennan and the omens looked positive for a home win.

However Tipperary refused to be intimidated and showing far more commitment they gradually settled into the game and were well worth their half time level of 1 - 9 to Kilkenny's 1-5

Despite an occasional burst from Kilkenny it was all Tipperary in the second half.

Their defence completely obliterated the Kilkenny attack and were never headed throughout. In that period every Tipperary defender was on top of his immediate opponent.

As soon as Tipp had taken as much as Kilkenny had to offer they then set about sealing the win with scores of their own. That 4 of the 5 goals of the game were scored by Tipperary illustrates clearly how both teams played out the last quarter of the game. Good game, fair result

Galway 2-22
Cork 0-24

By Dermot Kavanagh

If ever there was a "game of two halves" this magnificent game at Limerick certainly was it.

Playing some brilliant hurling where they mixed the running game and first time striking Galway led by an astonishing 14 points at halftime (2.15 to 0.7)

Their place in the final looked a formality.

However Cork emerged from their half time rest a transformed team.

The tentativeness and uncertainty that hampered their first half performance was abandoned as they set about reducing the massive lead with some superb hurling. Midfielders Kenney and Cadogan hoovered up all breaking balls around their area to give their forward sextet a seamless supply of scoring opportunities.

Their opportunities were not wasted as the points flowed freely and to such an extent that by the 69th minute the deficit was reduced to a mere 3 points. Galway then scored the games final point to secure the win.

Galway manager, Ger Loughnane used the game to introduce rising star Joe Canning.

The youngster did not disappoint in a display that suggests he will enjoy a very successful senior career.

In addition to scoring 4 points from play, Canning was instrumental in creating many of Galway's other scores especially their opening goal by Iarla Tannin.

On this display, particularly that of the second half Cork appear to have strung off all affects of their late start to the season.

They and their conquerors of last Sunday will be major forces in what promises to be an enthralling hurling championship.