Galway have booked their quarter-final berth in the TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship after a 4-10 to 3-4 victory away to Tipperary at Moyne Templetuohy GAA Grounds.
Tracey Leonard, Lynsey Noone, Louise Ward and Kate Slevin all found the net to help their side back up their opening-round win over Cork and secure top spot in group four.
Galway joint manager Maghnus Breathnach says the team knew it was going to be a tough challenge.
"It was about getting down here and getting the job done,” Galway joint manager Maghnus Breathnach. “The big thing for us was could we back it up for a following week especially after such an intense game against Cork.
“That was very, very important for us. We knew Tipperary had a good Munster campaign. They didn’t get the results, and we knew it was going to be a tough battle, but we were delighted with a nine-point win today.”
Tipperary now face Cork to decide which county finishes second in the group and progresses to the quarter-final stage.
With hail showers and thunder before the contest, Tipperary who made a lightning start, finding the net inside the opening 90 seconds. A patient move saw Niamh Martin’s long-range delivery punched to the net by Aishling Moloney.
However, Maghnus Breathnach and Fiona Wynne’s charges kept their cool as the Leonard cousins – Tracey and Róisín – helped Galway draw level after firing over two scores.
A superb long-range Leanne Coen effort pushed Galway in front for the first time, but the Tipperary response was emphatic. A flowing team move ended with Angela McGuigan’s long range strike flying to the roof of the net.
Once again Galway replied in style and a rapid attack saw Tracey Leonard finishing to the bottom corner, having been set up by cousin Róisín.
Shauna Brennan, Olivia Divilly and Róisín Leonard (free ) slotted over before the break, while Emma Morrissey grabbed Tipperary’s first point after 25 minutes as Galway led 1-7 to 2-1 at the interval.
The third-quarter saw Tipperary control possession as Emma Morrissey showed her class to strike over two superb long-range scores.
However, Galway, with the ability to cut through defences, delivered through a Lynsey Noone goal, capitalising on a crucial Kate Geraghty turnover.
Tipperary tried valiantly to push forward and carve out the scores, but the Tribeswomen held firm before Louise Ward's long-range effort flew into the net.
Galway’s squad depth began to show when Kate Slevin came off the bench to score the fourth goal, having been set up by Olivia Divilly.
Moloney continued to be a threat for Tipperary, scoring her second goal in the closing stages, but it was not enough to deny Galway.
Scorers: Galway, T Leonard 1-2, K Slevin 1-1 (0-1f ), L Ward and L Noone 1-0 each, R Leonard 0-2 (1f ), O Divilly 0-2, S Brennan, L Coen and E Noone 0-1 each. Tipperary, A Moloney 2-1, A McGuigan 1-0, E Morrisey 0-3 (1f ).
Galway : K Connolly; K Geraghty, S Ní Loingsigh, A Ní Cheallaigh; A Molloy, N Ward, S Brennan; L Ward, L Coen; L Noone, H Noone, O Divilly; T Leonard, A Davoren, R Leonard. Subs: K Slevin for R Leonard (39 ), S Divilly, for S Brennan (39 ), E Noone, for T Leonard (46 ), A Trill, for L Noone (55 ), E Gavin, for S Ní Loingsigh (55 ).
Tipperary: L Fitzpatrick; E Kelly, L Spillane, E Cronin; M Curley, L Morrissey, C O’Dwyer; E Morrissey, N Towey; C English, M Murphy, S English; A McGuigan, N. Martin, A Moloney. Subs: K Downey for C English (39 ), N Spillane, for M Murphy (39 ), R Kiely for A McGuigan (47 ), N Martin, for S English (52 ).
Referee: Garryowen McMahon (Mayo ).
